
. 


J t 
■- 

! « 




« 



MADRAS: 

PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS. 


1898 . 







7 



/! ■ ‘ 



•fc*- 1 ' • 
t 






>* 

















flection from tlje Herorirs of tlje Ufabra dobernment. 




THE NAYAR BRIGADE 



TRAVANCORE. 



MADRAS: 

FEINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS. 








f-UA 

268 





1 


• .«</> to 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


PREFACE. 


A Short History of the Nayar Brigade 


Pa< 

[ 1 ]- 


SECTION I.-THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION OF THE NAYAR BRIGADE. 

No. 

( 1 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 7th May 1817, Noe. 6 and 7 , 

Political .. .. •.. .. .. .. .. .. , t i 

( 2 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 19th March 1818, Nos. 14 to 

16, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. ., 2 

(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 14th April 1819, Nos. 11 to 14, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ., .. ,. 3 

(4) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 14th April 1819, Nos. 15 to 18, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ., .. 3 

(5) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 22 nd May 1819, Nos. 1 to 3 , 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ,. .. 5 

( 6 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 23rd August 1819, Nos. 2 to 6 , 

Political .. .. .. .. .. ., . .. .. .. .5 

(7) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 8 th October 1819, Nos. 1 to 3 , 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ,, 6 

( 8 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 8 th October 1819, Nos. 5 and 

6 , Political . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ^ 

(9) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 18th October 1819, Nos. 9 and 

10, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 


SECTION II.—SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN THE STRENGTH OF THE 
BRIGADE AND ITS OFFICERS. 


( 1 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 16th June 1840, Nos. 15 to 17, 

Political 

( 2 ) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 1st 

September 1840, No. 5, Political .. 

(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 23rd November 1841, Nos. 17 

and 18, Political 

(4) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 6 th December 1842, Nos. 1 and 2, 

Political 

(5) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 26th October 1847, Nos. 1 and 2 , 

Political 

( 6 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 17th July 1849, Nos. 27 and 28, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ., 

(7) —G 0 ., dated 1 st July 1862, No. 257, Political .. .. 

( 8 ) —G 0., dated 15th July 1862, No. 274, Political .. .. .. .. 

(9) —G.O , dated 7th August 1862, No. 311, Political .. .. .. ., (t 

( 10 ) —G 0 ., dated 3rd December 1863, No. 360, Political .. .. .. ,, 

(11) —G O., dated 5th July 1864, No. 208, Political 

( 12 ) —G.O., dated 28th May 1880, No. 3379, Military . 

(13) -—GO., dated 24th February 1881, No. 101, Political .. .. .. 

(14) —G.O., dated 18 th September 1882, No. 345, Political .. 

(15) —G.O., dated 15th May 1885, No. 337, Political .. .. 


14 

15 
15 
21 
22 


23 

28 

29 

30 
30 
32 

40 

41 

42 

43 


SECTION III.—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE OFFICERS EMPLOYED 

IN THE BRIGADE. 

( 1 ) —Extract fro m the Minutes of Consultation, dated 24th May 1836, Nos. 15 and 

16, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 47 

( 2 ) —E xtract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 19th 

September 1838, No. 1 , Political .. .. .. ,, 47 











11 


CONTENTS. 


No. Page 

(3) —Extract from tlie Minutes of Consultation, dated 14tK January 1840, No. 12 , 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 48 

(4) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 4th February 1840, Nos. 10 

and 11 , Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 

(5) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 11th 

February 1840, No. 1 , Political .. .. . .. .. .. .. 49 

( 6 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 7th April 1840, Nos. 22 and 23, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 

(7) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 5th 

May 1840, No. 3, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 

( 8 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 16th March 1841, Nos. 12 and 

13, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51 

(9) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 16th 

June 1841, No. 1 , Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 

( 10 ) —G.O., dated 14th January 1860, Nos. 15 and 16, Political .. .. .. .. 53 

( 11 ) —G.O., dated 3rd December 1863, No. 360, Political .. .. .. .. 54 

( 12 ) —G.O., dated 6 th April 1867, No. 93, Political .. .. .. .. .. 54 

(13;—G.O., dated 16th November 1867, No. 310, Political .. .. .. .. 56 

(14) —G.O., dated 21 st January 1868, No. 18, Political .. .. .. .. .. 66 

(15) —G O., dated 24th March 1869, No. 91, Political .. .. .. .. .. 60 

(16) —G.O , dated 10th February 1870, No. 417, Military .. .. .. .. 61 

(17) —G O., dated 28th June 1872, No. 249, Political .. .. .. .. .. 62 

(18) —G.O., dated 26th March 1874, No. 134, Political .. .. .. .. .. 64 

(19) —G.O., dated 30th June 1874, No. 262, Political .. .. .. .. .. 65 

( 20 ) —G O., dated 25th July 1874, No. 313, Political .. .. .. .. 66 

(21) —G O., dated 22nd August 1874, No. 348, Political .. .. .. .. .. 67 

( 22 ) —G.O., dated 26th September 1876, No. 616, Political .. .. .. .. 68 

(23) —G.O , dated 24th February 1881, No. 101, Political .. .. .. .. 69 

(24) —G.O., dated 24th December 1892, No. 1408, Financial] .. .. .. .. 69 

(25) —G.O., dated 16th August 1895, No. 543, Political .. .. .. .. 74 

(26) —G.O., dated 31st October 1895, No. 728, Political .. .. .. 77 


SECTION IV.—SELECTION OF MILITARY OFFICERS FOR EMPLOYMENT 

IN THE BRIGADE. 


( 1 ) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 5th 

November 1834, No. 4, Political 

( 2 ) -— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 12 th June 1838, Nos. 1 and 2 , 

Political .. .. .. .. ,. 

(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 31st March 1840, Nos. 51 and 

52, Political 

(4) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 11 th June 1844, Nos. 13 and 

14, Political 

(5) —G.O., dated 17th March 1873, No. 957, Military .. .. .. .. 

( 6 ) —G.O., dated 30th June 1874, No. 262, Political 

(7) —G.O., dated 25th July 1874, No. 313, Political 

(81—G O., dated 22nd August 1874, No. 348, Political .. 

(9)—G.O., dated 13th February 1878, No. 91, Political .. .. , . 

( 10 ) —G.O., dated 22 nd May 1890, No. 274, Political .. .. .. .. 

( 11 ) —GO., dated 23rd May 1890, No. 65, Political .. .. .. .. ., 

( 12 ) —G.O., dated 4th March 1895, No. 150, Political .. 

(13) —G.O., dated 5th June 1895, No. 360, Political 

(14) —G.O., dated 27th September 1895, No. 641, Political 


78 

74 

80 

81 

82 

83 

83 

83 

83 

84 

85 
85 

95 

96 


SECTION Y.—LEAVE AND PENSIONS TO OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE BRIGADE. 


( 1 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 26th October 1847, Nos. 1 and 

2 , Political 

( 2 ) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 1st February 1848, Nos. 236 

and 237, Military 

(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 20 th March 1855, Nos. 14 and 

15, Political 

(4) — Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 11th 

September 1855, No. 13, Political .. 

(5) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 20th 

February 1856, No. 17, Military 

( 6 ) —G.O., dated 6 th April 1867, No. 93, Political .. .. 

(7) —G.O., dated 6 th July 1867, No. 191, Political .. .. .. 

( 8 ) —G.O., dated 14th August 1867, No. 232, Political 

( 9 ) —G.O., dated 24th March 1869, No. 91, Political .. .. 

( 10 )—G.O., dated 30th March 1871, No. 98, Political .. .. ,, 


97 

97 


97 


98 

100 

100 

100 

102 

102 

102 













CONTENTS. 


Ill 


No. Paqh 

(.11)— G.O., dated 28tli June 1872, No. 249, Political .. .. ,, 103 

(121— G.O., dated 28th September 1872, No. 365, Political .. .. .. .. 103 

(13) —G.O., dated 3rd October 1872, No. 368, Political .. .. .. .. .. 106 

(14) —G.O., dated 5th February 1873, No. 55, Political .. ». .. .. .. 106 

(15) —G.O., dated 5t.h April 1873, No. 1200, Military .. .. .. .. 107 

(16) —G.O., dated 26th January 1875. No. 46, Political .. .. .. .. .. 108 

(17) —G.O., dated 26th September 1876, No. 616, Political .. .. .. .. 108 

(18) —G.O., dated 28th May 1880, No. 3379, Military .. .. .. .. .. 109 

(19) —G.O., dated 22nd February 1886, No. 181, Political .. .. .. .. 109 

(20) — G.O., dated 18th July 1895, No. 471, Political .. .. .. .. .. 110 


SECTION VI.—RANK AND PRECEDENCE OF MILITARY OFFICERS SERVING 

IN THE BRIGADE. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 24th May 1836, Nos. 15 and 16, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 112 

(2) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 8th 

September 1854, No. 5, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 112 

(3) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 

6th December 1854, No. 107, Military .. .. .. .. .. .. 113 

(4) —G.O., dated 14th March 1861, No. 146, Political .. .. .. .. 113 

(5) —G.O., dated 21st April 1881, Nos. 221 and 222, Political .. .. .. .. 116 

(6) —G.O., dated 4th July 1881, No. 342, Political .. .. .. .. .. 117 

(7) —GKO., dated 5th May 1885, No. 301, Political .117 


SECTION VII.—CONDITIONS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
COMMANDANT OF THE BRIGADE. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 20rh December 1831, Nos. 8 

and 9, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 121 

(2) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 28th 

June 1843, No. 6, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 121 

(3) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 11th 

September 1855, No. 13, Political .. .. .. .. .. .. 122 

(4) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 

20th February 1856, No. 17, Military .. .. .. .. 122 

(5) —G.O., dated 6th April 1867, No. 93, Political .. .. .. .. .. 122 

(6) —G.O., dated 24th February 1881, No. 101, Political .. .. .. .. 122 

(7) —G.O., dated 16th August 1895, No. 543, Political .. .. .. .. .. 122 

(8) —G.O , dated 27th September 1895, No. 641, Political .. .. .. .. 122 


SECTION VIII.—LIST OF COMMANDANTS OF THE BRIGADE WITH 

ORDERS PERTAINING TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS.128 


SECTION IX.—SUPPLY OF ARMS, STORES AND ACCOUTREMENTS AND 

CLOTHING. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 24th January 1820, Nos. 17 

and 18, Political 

(2) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 31st January 1820, Nos. 7 to 9, 

Political .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 

(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 19th April 1820, No. 11, 

Political 

(4) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 18t,h February 1831, Nos. 11 to 

13, Political 

(5) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 8th February 1848, Nos. 5 and 

6, Revenue 

(6) —G.O., dated 2nd November 1859, No. 636, Political .. .. ,, ,, 

(7) —G.O., dated 16th January 1860, No. 31, Political 

(8) —G.O., dated 6th November 1862, No. 447, Political .. .. 

(9) —G.O., dated 29th November 1882, No. 477, Political .. .. ,, 

(10) —G.O., dated 11th September 1868, No. 3544, Military .. 

(11) —G.O., dated 24th September 1868, No. 210, Political 


124 

125 

125 

126 

127 

128 
128 
129 

129 

130 

131 

















1Y 


CONTENTS. 


No. Page. 

(12) — G.O., dated 13th May 1870, No. 165, Political .. .. .. .. .. 131 

(13) —G.O., dated 21st July 1870, No. 218, Political .. .. .. .. .. 1*2 

(14) —GKO.,'dated 25th November 1889, No. 607, Political .. .. .. 133 

(15) —G.O., dated 9th May 1890, No. 241, Political .. .. .. .. 134 

(16) —G.O., dated 27th June lb94, No. 447, Political .. .. .. .. .. 136 


SECTION X.—MISCELLANEOUS—BUILDINGS. 

(1)—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 24th October 1837, No. 393, 

Political .. .. .. ., .. .. .. .. .. .. 138 


* 







PEEFACE. 


A SHORT HISTORY OF THE NAYAR BRIGADE. 


The earliest record we have of tlie strength and composition of the Military 
Forces of Travancore dates from about the year 1757. There was then an army 
of 30,000 Nayars (10,000 regular and 20,000 irregular infantry). In the year 1780 
it consisted of about 50,000 men disciplined, according to European manner ; in 
addition the State could command in times of need 100,000 Nayars and Chogas, 
armed with bows, arrows, spears, swords and battle axes. A portion of the army 
was known as the Carnatic Brigade. Its origin is uncertain. It would appear 
from the treaty of 1795 that the Travancore army did not consist of Nayars only, 
but contained also men from the Eastern side of the Ghauts. Whether the 
Carnatic Brigade took its name from the presence of these men, or whether it 
was a remnant of a force sent by the Nawab of the Carnatic to assist Travancore 
during internal troubles, is not known. By the treaty of 1795 the Travancore 
troops were bound to aid the East India Company in its wars, and a portion 
of the Travancore army was employed with the British troops in Lord Cornwallis’ 
operations against Tippoo Sultan. This Carnatic Brigade was under the command 
of Colonel Daly (1789 to 1809), its head-quarters were at Alleppey, and it consisted 
of 5 battalions of Infantry and 1 battalion of Artillery. The rest of the force was 
under Native Commanders. 


2. Colonel Daly was not the first European Commander in Travancore, for 
1761-1777 We ^ ave on recor d the fact that a Monsieur Eustathius de 
Lannoy, who was a Fleming by birth, obtained service in 
Travancore. De Lannoy was a prisoner captured by the Travancore troops from 
the Dutch when the latter attempted to seize Colachel in the year 1741. He was 
kindly treated by the Rajah and joined the Travancore army as a Captain and even¬ 
tually succeeded, in the year 1761, Marthanda Pillai, the celebrated Commander-in- 
Chief of Rajah Vunji Bala. De Lannoy is reported to have driven the Samuri f 
on the otherside of the river from Allengad and Codungallor, assigned a small spot 
to the king of Cochin for his support, made himself master of all the fortresses, 
put the king’s troops on the same footing as Europeans, divided among them the 
conquered lands, caused them frequently to march through the country with full 
military parade in order to keep the people in subjection, and after Rajah Vira 
Marthanda’s J death gave the kingdom in which perfect tranquillity was now 
restored to Rajah Rama Vurma who had just entered the 24th year of his age. De 
Lannoy constructed the Fort at Oodayaghirry near Nagercoil, the walls of which 
are still existing but in a ruinous state, and here it was that he was buried (1777). 
His tomb may still be seen in the ruined chapel inside the fort now overgrown 
with jungle. It bears this inscription : 

“ Hie jacet EUSTATHIOS BENEDICT US de LANNOY qui 
tanquam dux generalis militiae Travancotidis praefuit ac per 
annos XXX VII ferine summd felicitate regi inserviit, cut omnia 
regna ex Caiamcolum usque ad Cochin vi arm,ovum ac terrore 
subjecit. Vixit annos LX1I menses V et mortuus est die 1 
Junii MDCGLXXVII. 

Bequiescat in pace.” 


3. In 1805 when Lord Wellesley was Governor-General of India, a new treaty 
1805 was conc ^ U( ^ e( ^ with the Rajah of Travancore, by which the 

Rajah was relieved of his obligation of lending his troops to 
assist the British in their wars. At the same time, however, it was stipulated that 
the Rajah should pay to the Honourable East India Company a sum equivalent to 


Note. —Marginal references give the authority for statements made in the text. 
* The first nine paragraphs only have been printed. 

+ Evidently the Zamorin of Calient. 

X Marthanda Vurma (Vira means brave}. 


Day’s Land 
of the Peru - 
malSjpage 48. 


Major 
Drury’s 
precis of 
Father 
Bartholo- 
meo’s travels 
in Travan¬ 
core. 


Selections, 
page 20. 

* Capt. 
Daly’s 
memorial, 
21st May 
1842. 


Major 
Drury’s 
pamphlet. 
Vide para. 
62. 


Treaties of 
1785 & 1805. 






PREFACE. 


A memorial 
to the Madras 
Government 
by Captain 
Daly. 

Shungunny 
Menon’s 
History of 
Travancore. 


Captain 

Daly’s 

Memorial. 


Selections, 
page 1. 


Shungunny 

Menou’s 

History. 


Selection ' 
from records, 
page 1, 


Captain She. 
ridan’s Memo. 
No. 1 and 
Shungunny 
Menou’s 
JUste^y. 


[2] 

the expenses of 4 regiments, N.T., in addition to the sum then payable by the treaty 
of 1795 for the maintenance of 3 regiments of sepoys, 1 company of European 
Artillery, and 2 companies of Lascars. 

4. Jn 1808 Colonel Daly was confidentially employed by 
1808* the Resident in negotiating the retirement from office of 

Dewan Yeloo Tampi. 

5. In the same year (1808) Dewan Yeloo Tampi represented to the Resident 

that the State was unable to bear the additional burden im- 
loUo. posed upon them by the maintenance of the Company’s troops, 

and that the treaty of 1805 had been extorted from the Rajah. Believing the 
Dewan to be the principal adviser in these complaints against the British Government 
and Colonel Daly’s mission having failed, the Resident insisted upon the former’s 
removal to which he professedly acquiesced, but, in the meantime, he secretly 
inflamed the minds of the populace and attempted to bring about an insurrection, 
the aim and object of which was the assassination of the British Resident. Reports 
having reached the latter of the disaffection which prevailed in the country, and 
various rumours of the rising of the whole people having got abroad, the Resident 
felt the necessity of summoning military aid without delay, and troops were imme¬ 
diately put in motion both from Trichinopoly and Malabar in order to put down 
the rising. Anxious to strike a blow before the arrival of the troops the rumour of 
whose approach had now reached him, the Dewan, on the night of the 28th Decem¬ 
ber 1808, prepared in secret a party of armed men, who at his instigation surrounded 
the house at Cochin where the Resident was then living. Colonel Macaulay being 
aroused appeared at the window when he was immediately fired at, but without 
effect. Perceiving the danger which surrounded him, he hastened to hide himself 
in a small room where he remained concealed in safety during the whole night. 
On the following morning, a vessel appeared in the river containing a portion of 
the troops which had been despatched from Malabar, and this precipitated the 
retreat of the armed band of insurgents. Colonel Macaulay thereupon took refuge 
on board the vessel. After this Dewan Yeloo Tampi shook off all pretence and 
appeared in open insurrection. He demanded that Colonel Daly should lead the 
Carnatic Brigade against the British troops, and, on that officer refusing to do so, 
he was confined, was kept by the Dewan a close prisoner for 7 weeks, and was in 
imminent danger of being put to death. The Carnatic Brigade did not join the 
Dewan ; the rest of the troops however obeyed his orders. At this time the Military 
establishment of Travancore consisted of 12 battalions commanded by Europeans 
or the descendants of Europeans. A few engagements took place between them 
and the subsidiary force stationed at Quilon and other regiments that were brought 
into the country to crush the revolt. The action fought * at 
Aramboli and Nagercoil on the 10th February 1809 proved 
completely decisive and brought the insurrection to a close. The Travancore troops 
suffered severely. The British troops being now able to communicate with one 
another, gradually converged towards the capital and eventually encamped in the 
Cantonment at Trivandrum, where they afterwards built the barracks now occupied 
by the Nayar Brigade. The Rajah, alarmed at the near approach of the British 
troops, hastened to tender his submission to the British Resident. The Dewan 
fled to the jungles, and, being pursued from place to place, was eventually put to 
death by his brother, or, as some sajr, committed suicide to avoid capture. 

6. After the disturbance was quelled, the Travancore troops were reduced by 

1809 order of the British Government, and the manufacture and 

possession by individuals of arms and ammunition was strictly 
prohibited and enforced. A few companies about 700 men of the first Nayar 
Battalion were however left for purposes of State and ceremony and were allowed 
to retain possession of a few unserviceable muskets. They were placed under the 
command of Subadar Maha Singh, an officer of the Madras Cavalry. This remnant 
of the old Nayar Battalion formed the nucleus of the present Nayar Brigade, 


1809. 


* See Colonel Welsh’s Military Reminiscences, Vo], I. 
through the Aramboly Pass, 


He commanded the force that entered Travancore 




PREFACE. 


[ 3 ] 


on the organization of which a few years later, it was converted into the 1st 
Battalion of Her Highness the Ranee’s troops. The designation Nayar Brigade 
was not used till the year 1830. On the disbandment of the troops, guards over 
all important posts were, by order, furnished from the British Regiments in 
Travancore, and were ordered to stand fast until tranquillity was restored through¬ 
out the country and all signs of commotion should have vanished. 

7. In April 1817, Colonel Munro, the Resident in Travancore, proposed to 

the Madras Government, on the motion of Her Highness the 
Ranee Regent, a re-organization of the troops. In doing 
so, he said that the existing remnant, 700 men, of the old army of Travancore, 
which had been disbanded after the war of 1809, was of little utility, as they were, 
without arms or discipline, and that Her Highness was anxious to increase 
the strength and efficiency of her force and to have a European Officer in com¬ 
mand. The proposal was to increase the strength of the small body of Nayar 
Infantry to 1,200, to supply them with arms, and to place them under the com¬ 
mand of Captain McLeod, an officer who, by permission of the Commander-in- 
Chief, was then employed in Travancore as Killadar of the Fort at Trivandrum 
and in command of the Ranee’s escort of Cavalry. As a matter of fact Captain 
McLeod had, at the time this proposal was made, already, at the request of the 
Ranee, assumed the general charge of the Nayar Infantry, but as his appointment 
was only a temporary one, the Ranee was anxious to have it confirmed. The 
further consideration of the scheme was still pending in 1818, for the Resident 
not having received the orders of Government wrote again on 
the subject saying “ that the proposed increase of the Nayar 
“ troops will be attended with several advantages: the finances of Travancore 
“ being in a most prosperous state and the maintenance of an augmented body 
“ of the Nayar troops would unite more closely the Rajah with the people and 
“ provide for the relief of the Company’s troops from several detached duties and 
“ likewise for the maintenance of internal peace in Travancore during the eventual 
“ absence of the greatest part of the whole of the subsidiary force.” The decision 
was postponed by Government owing to the absence of the Resident on leave. 
Eventually however it would appear that the application was sanctioned in 1818 
by the Right Honourable Hugh Elliott, Governor of Madras. 

8. The 1st Battalion being already on the rolls, Captain McLeod raised the 

2nd Battalion by the voluntary enlistment of men of the 
country of the Nayar caste. A detachment of Artillery was 
also formed. One officer being found insufficient for the re-organized troops, the 
Resident wrote shortly afterwards to the Madras Government asking for the services 
of four additional officers, one for each battalion as Commandant, and one for each 
battalion as Adjutant. But as he recognized the fact that there might be a diffi¬ 
culty in supplying the officers asked for, he suggested the possibility of an officer 
on the half-pay list of His Majesty’s army being available, who might be desirous 
of employment in India. The Commander-in-Chief to whom the application was 
referred stated that it was utterly impossible to spare the officers asked for from 
the Regular army. However Captain Gray, an officer on the half-pay list, was found, 
and he was permitted to place himself at the disposal of the Resident with a view 
to his appointment as Commandant of one of the battalions of the Nayar Infantry. 
Shortly after the appointment of Captain Gray, the Resident reported to the Madras 
Government that Captain McLeod had greater influence over Her Highness the 
Ranee than he thought was desirable, and, as a result, that officer was called upon 
to resign, which he accordingly did, and Captain Gray assumed command. 

9. A.t this time 1819, the country to the south was infested with banditti, 

1Q1 ^ who encouraged by the defenceless state of the inhabitants 

(who were disarmed and prohibited from possessing arms after 
the war of 1809), drove them from some of the most fertile ghauts in Travancore. 
In order to meet the want of arms, the Resident recommended that a supply of 2,100 
repaired rifles and bayonets and a brigade of brass 6 pounder gun, the latter for 
firing salutes, together with the necessary supply of gunpowder, should be made 
to the Travancore Government on payment, and this proposition was sanctioned, 
and both rifles, guns and powder were received. 


( 




Selections 
from records, 
page 1. 


Selections 
from records, 
page 4. 


Selections 
from records, 
page 5. 


Selections 
from records, 
page 8. 


Selections 
from records, 
pages 8 and 
124-25. 


C 


PREFACE. 


Copies of the 
Neets or 
Commissions. 


Selections, 
pasfe 47. 
Letter from 
the palaoe to 
the Dewan, 
No. 15682, 
dated 28th 
January 
1819. 


Snbadar-Ma- 
jor’s memo. 
Selections, 
page 24. 


Selections, 
page 16. 
Report to 
Government 
of India, 
dated 
7th March 
1842. 


Captain 
Sheridan’s 
Memo. No. 2, 
Selections, 
page 10. 


[ * ] 


10. The application for 4 officers of the Regular army having failed and only 
one officer (Captain Gray) of the half-pay list as proposed 
by the Resident being forthcoming, the Travancore Govern¬ 
ment appointed local officers to fill the appointments, and Mr. Henry Daly, son of 
Colonel Daly of the old Travancore Carnatic Brigade, was appointed Lieutenant 
Commanding the 2ud Battalion, dated 28th January 1819; Mr. William Sheridan, 
relative of an officer of the subsidiary force at Quilon, was appointed Lieutenant 
Commanding the 1st Battalion, dated 28th January 1819 ; and Mr. W. F. Nixon 
from Trichinopoly was appointed Lieutenant and Quartermaster.* Neets or com¬ 
missions were issued by the Travancore Government to these local officers, and it 
also appears that officers of the Company’s troops also received neets giving them 
a step in rank above that which they held in each case in the British service.! All 
these appointments were made in 1819, in which year the re-organization of the 
brigade was thoroughly completed. 

1L. The Commandant’s pay was Rs. 1,000 and that of the other 8 officers 
Rs. 200 each per mensem. According to official returns the following was the 
strength of the troops on its re-organization by Captain McLeod in 1819. It is 
difficult to reconcile the numbers given with the Resident’s original proposal to 
increase the strength to 1,200 men, and it can only be supposed that, when the 
actual re-organization took place, sanction was given for a larger increase of men, 
and this is supported by a memorandum written by one of the Subadars-Major of the 
brigade in 1854, in which he says that Captain McLeod obtained permission from 
the Resident to enlist more men to raise the battalions to 1,000 men each. But 
it would however appear from a statement made by the Resident in a letter, dated 
June 1862, that a mistaken interpretation was put on Colonel Munro’s proposition 
to raise the existing force to 1,200 men, and that 1,200 men were raised in addition 
to the 700 already on the rolls:— 

Strength of the Nayar Troops on re-organization by Captain McLeod. 


European Officers. 


1 Captain Commanding the Brigade. 
1 Lieutenant Commanding the 1st 
Battalion. 


1 Lieutenant Commanding the 2nd 
Battalion. 

1 Lieutenant and Quarter Master. 


10 Subadars. 
10 Jemadars. 
50 Havildars. 


1st Battalion 10 Companies. 

50 Naigues. 

23 Drummers and Fifers. 
1,000 Sepoys. 


10 Subadars. 
10 Jemadars. 
50 Havildars. 


2nd Battalion 10 Companies. 

50 Naigues. 

23 Drummers and Fifers. 
1,000 Sepoys. 


1 Jemadar. 

2 Havildars. 


Artillery. 

2 Naigues. 

' 25 Golandazees. 


Attached. 


1 1 nterpreter. 

1 Samprathy. 

2 Head Accountants. 

(Shekaries.) 

20 Company Writers. 

2 Native Doctors. 

1 Store Superintendent, 


1 Store Native Wiiter. 

1 Maistry Tailor. 

2 Tailors. 

2 Smiths. 

2 Hammermen. 

2 Bellows Boys. 

2 Puckalies. 


Total of all ranks 2,350. 


12. The principal duties imposed by the Sircar on the brigade after the 
lg 20 re-organization were of a civil or police nature. They were 

employed in guarding prisons, taking charge of prisoners and 


* 27th September 1819. 


f The last neet issued was to Colonel Ketchen. 







PREFACE. 


Captain 
Sheridan’s 
Memo. No. 2. 


Sheridan’s 
Memo. No. 2. 


[ 5 ] 

others in course of transit from station to station, preventing smuggling, seizing 
robbers and men charged with offences, assisting Tahsildars and Civil officers in 
the collection of revenue, serving as guards and orderlies to Civil officers and in 
employment about the pagodas on various duties during festivals. The number 
thus employed in 1820 amounted to 773 at 66 different stations. The remainder 
of the troops being at head-quarters. 

13. In the execution of their duties, the men of the brigade frequently came 

1824. ™ t0 Elision with the Civil authorities. This state of affairs 

was brought to the notice of the Sircar by the Officer Command- 
ing in 1824, and he pointed out how it affected the efficiency of the men. Thereon 
the Sircar resolved on a reduction of the brigade in order to raise funds for the 
employment of policemen for the performance of the duties till then undertaken by 
1826 . ^ ie Military. Nothing however was done until 1826, when a 

reduction of 25 sepoys per company was made, or a total of 
500 men. After this reduction each company consisted of 75 sepoys. The other 
ranks were left intact. 

14. Shortly after the reduction of the brigade in 1826, namely in June 1827, Report to 

1827 Captain Gray Commanding the Brigade appointed Mr. Comely ofTndiaXted 

(son of a Sergeant of Her Majesty’s 12th Regiment of foot) 7th March 
Quarter-master-Sergeant of the brigade on a salary of Sircar Rs. 70 (British Rs. 1842 ‘ 
68-12-4) per mensem. Sergeant Comely was the first European Non-commissioned 
officer appointed to the brigade. 

15. In 1830 a second reduction of the brigade took place. Captain 
1830. Each company was reduced by 5 sepoys and the brigade by 

100 men. 

16. In 1331 Captain Faris of the 1st Madras Cavalry was employed as Corn- 

1831 manding Officer of the Nayar Brigade, but there is nothing 

on record to show the date of his appointment.* It is very 
difficult from the information available to trace any of the earlier appointments 
of officers to the brigade. The Commanding Officer was, however, invariably 
an officer of the British service, usually a Captain; though these officers are 
mentioned in the records as Majors, that rank was, as a rule, purely local, being 
conferred by His Highness the Rajah. It seems that, when Captain Faris com¬ 
manded the brigade, the British troops at Qnilon were commanded by Lieutenant 
Colonel Downes. The former officer was next senior officer in Travancore hold¬ 
ing a British Commission, and doubts arose as to whether, in the event of Colonel 
Downes being incapacitated by sickness from exercising his command, Captain 
Faris would, as next senior officer, be entitled to assume command of the British 
troops in Travancore. The Resident doubted whether, seeing that Captain Faris 
was commanding His Highness the Rajah’s troops, he would be permitted to 
leave and proceed to Quilon for the purpose of taking command there. The 
Madras Government, on the matter being laid before them, ruled that, in the 
event of the senior officer at Quilon being unable to exercise his command, the 
next senior officer present on the spot would be entitled to do so, and, excepting 
on actual service, the Officer Commanding the Rajah’s force would not be at liberty 
to interfere with the Company’s troops. This ruling is still in force with the 
exception that, when his Highness’ troops are paraded with British troops, the 
senior officer of either holding a British Commission assumes command. 

17. In 1832 the pay of the Lieutenant Commanding Battalions was increased 

1832-1834 to ^ s ‘ a m0,l th* Between the last mentioned date and 

1834, it is exceedingly difficult, indeed well nigh impos¬ 
sible, to trace in detail the changes that occurred in the brigade, but little worthy 
of note appears to have taken place. 

18. From a despatch, dated 5th November 1834, No. 4, Political, from the 

Honourable Court of Directors, the name of an officer not found 
before is mentioned, namely Lieutenant Staig. It would seem 
from this despatch that the appointment of this Officer and Captain Faris had 


Selections 
from records, 
page 121. 


Neets. 


Selections, 
page 121. 


Resident’s 
letter to O.C., 
Nayar Bri¬ 
gade, dated 
24th May 
1825. 


Selections, 
page 47. 


• He commenced issuing orders to the brigade in 1830. 




PREFACE. 


Selections, 
page 47. 


Selections, 
pages 79 and 
80. 


Selections, 
page 48. 


[ 6 ] 

been taken exception to by the Governor-General, who had called for explanations, 
which were given, and, as the despatch says, no subsequent notice was taken by 
the Governor-General of the explanations offered. The Court of Directors w r ere 
however in possession of the papers, which must evidently have been forwarded 
by the Supreme Government. The Court considered that the explanation offered 
in Captain Faris’ case was satisfactory, but they did not consider it to be so 
in the case of Lieutenant Staig, for they stated that, as he did not hold a com¬ 
mission in the British service, his appointment was at variance with their orders. 
These orders, they concluded, had not been communicated to the Madras Govern¬ 
ment, and for this reason and because Lieutenant Staig’s services were considered 
highly important, they stated their intention of not enforcing their orders in his 
case; but, in future, they expressed their desire that their orders ou this subject 
should not be departed from. Until quite recently when Lieutenant Ferguson was 
appointed, no local officer has since Lieutenant Staig been employed in Travancore. 

19. A reference to the statement in paragraph 11 giving the strength of the 

brigade on its re-organization in 1819 shows that 2 Native 
doctors were entertained. These Native doctors treated the 
men of the brigade according to the .Native system, and it was not apparently until 
the year 1835 that the European method of treatment was introduced; for, in that 
year, Dr. Brown, the Durbar Physician, was appointed to supervise the brigade 
hospital in addition to his other duties. 

In the same year (1835), a European Drill Instructor was attached, and the 
services of Sergeant Ashford of the 54th Regiment of foot were obtained on a 
salary of Sircar Rs, 70 per mensem, subsequently raised to Rs. 85 a mouth. 

20. In 1836 His Highness the Rajah was pleased to appoint the Command- 

Iggg ing Officer Captain Campbell to be a Major, and increased 

his pay to Rs. 1,050 a month, and the Lieutenants of 
battalions to be Captains on Rs. 400 a month being an increase of Rs. 100, it 
being stipulated that, in order to prevent any necessity for a further increase in 
the number of European officers in the corps, Captains Daly and Sheridan should 
perform precisely the same duties as they did before their promotion. 

* In the same year, the British Subsidiary force was withdrawn except one 
regiment at Quiion, and as a consequence all the guards furnished by the Sub¬ 
sidiary force were taken over by the Nayar troops. 

21. In 1838 the Resident reported to Government the death at Trivandrum 

jggg of Lieutenant Faikney of the Bombay Military service (Cap¬ 

tain in the Nayar Brigade), and, in doing so, he said he 

believed that it was customary for the Resident to recommend the officers selected 
for service in Travancore. He, however, had no one to recommend, and begged 
to leave the selection to the Madras Government, suggesting at the same time that 
Major Campbell the Commanding Officer might be allowed on that occasion to 
make a selection. Government, however, stated that they considered it was 
important that the selection of officers for appointments to Native States should 
continue with Government, and expressed their hope, at an early date, to be able 
to place the services of an officer at the disposal of the Travancore Government 
with a view to his being employed in the brigade. 

22. The pay and allowances of officers in the brigade seems to have given rise 

jggg to endless references to Government, and they, in 1838, for 

the first time, laid down that officers of the Company’s service 
in the employment of the Travancore Sircar should receive as fixed pay the allow¬ 
ances they would draw with their regiments with such additions for command¬ 
ing a brigade, regiment or company, as His Highness, with the concurrence of the 
British Government, might be pleased to grant. It was also laid down that the 
amount of the salaries of the local officers was a matter entirely for the considera¬ 
tion of the Sircar, which Government would no doubt take a liberal view, and 
would place those officers on an equal footing with the Company’s officers employed 


* Sketches of the relations subsisting between the British Government in India and the different Native States, by 
Captain J. Sutherland, 3rd Regiment, Bombay Light Cavalry, dated 1837, and letter from Officer Commanding Nayar 
Brigade to the Officer Commanding Oodayaghirry, dated 25th September 183(1. 




PREFACE. 


[ 7 ] 


in Travancore. This order caused tlie Resident to write to Government saying 
that, if the situation of the European local officers was to be assimilated lo that 
of those in the Company’s service in the command of brigades, regiments, or com¬ 
panies, a new organization of the brigade would be required, for, although composed 
of 2 battalions, there was no separate command nor independent authority, the 
two senior officers, Captains Daly and Logan, being returned as Acting Adjutants 
to their respective battalions and not as Commandants, Lieutenant Staig, a local 
officer, being Quartermaster to both, all orders being issued by the Commandant, 

Major Campbell, who signed all the returns of both battalions. It was therefore 
suggested by the Resident that the corps might be more properly denominated a Selections, 
regiment of 2 battalions and commanded by a regimental officer than a brigade Fage48 * 
with a Brigadier in command. It was further pointed out that Major Campbell 
would be a loser if he were placed on the allowances of an officer with his regiment. 

In consequence of this representation, the Madras Government did not press their 
recommendation. The matter was shortly afterwards brought to the notice of the 
Rajah with the result that Major Campbell received, in 1841, an increase of Rs. 157 
per mensem, the local Captains an increase of Rs. 52, and local Lieutenants of Selections, 
Rs. 91. These increases to the local officers then equalized the allowances of the page48, 
local officers with those of officers of similar rank in the Company’s army. The 
Commandant’s pay therefore stood at Rs. 1,207 and that of the two Captains 
commanding battalions at Rs. 452 each. 

23. In 1840 the Madras Government declined to sanction the recommendation Selections, 

of the Resident that a young gentleman by name De Lasselle page80 ' 
1840. should be appointed to the brigade on the ground that they 

were precluded from doing so by the despatch of the Court of Directors, dated 5th 
November 1834 (above referred to). Although unconnected with the brigade, it 
may be mentioned in passing that this despatch gives us two pieces of information 
enabling us (1) to trace back the original, or perhaps one should say the approxi¬ 
mate, date when the return of Europeans and East Indians in the service of 
Travancore, still rendered by the Resident, was first submitted, for mention is 
made therein of the first return of Europeans and East Indians, (2) the origin of 
the order requiring the appointments of all British subjects in Native States to be 
regularly reported to the Court of Directors with the reasons for making such 
appointments and any circumstances connected therewith, which would enable 
the Court of Directors to judge of their necessity or expediency. The Court of 
Directors, however, stated that they did not intend to include in their order 
situations of a private or menial kind, but only such as were of a public nature. 

The only difference between the present and the then existing practice is that, in 
those days, the report was submitted only after appointments were made, while at 
the present time no appointment of a European can be made without the previous 
sanction of the Supreme Government. 

24. Consequent on a representation bv the Commercial Agent and Superin¬ 

tendent of Police at Alleppey of the inadequacy of the Detacb- 
184U. ment of the Nayar Brigade stationed at that place for the Selections, 

protection of the extensive and valuable property of the Hircar as well as for the pdge 14 ‘ 
preservation of the public peace, the Resident, after personal investigation, decided, 
in 1840, to recommend that an addition to the Alleppey detachment should be 
made. This recommendation was carried out, and Government were applied to for 
the services of an additional officer to command all the detachments of the brigade 
in the North. Captain Ross of the 17th Madras Native Infantry was accordingly Select,ions, 
appointed and held the command until two years later (1842), when he was sue- page 
ceeded by Lieutenant Price of the 34th Regiment, and on the latter officer being 
permitted to proceed to Europe on sick certificate, the post was not again filled. 

25. In addition to the uses to which the brigade was put, which have been 

enumerated above, they were and still are employed in many, 

if not all, important State ceremonies of a religious character. 

The European officers were always expected to parade with the troops .on these 
occasions. This custom of employing European officers seems to have been in Selections, 
vogue throughout India, for, in 1841, the matter formed the subject of a despatch page 15 ' 
from the Court of Directors to the Supreme Government directing that the practice 




PREFACE. 


Selections, 
page 121. 
Mo. 6, dated 
28th June 
1843, 
Political. 


Selections, 
page 81. 
Letter from 
Resident to 
Government 
No. 8, dated 
6th May 1844, 
and G.O., No. 
183, dated 8th 
June 1844. 

G.O., No. 183, 
dated 8th 
June 1844. 


Resident’s 
letter No. 35,! 
dated 9th 
October 1847. 
Selections, 
page 22. 


[ 8 ] 


should, as far as practicable, be discontinued, and that the Native Princes should 
be made aware of their wishes. Directly the Resident made an intimation to this 
effect to the Rajah, His Highness, before the receipt of the despatch, voluntarily 
absolved the European officers of the brigade from attendance at any ceremonies 
of a religious nature. This exemption still obtains, and the only occasions on 
which European officers are now expected to attend State ceremonies are the 
birthday of the Maharajah and the annual Sasthamangalom and Poojapura pro¬ 
cessions.* On these occasions, the European officers merely fall in, salute His 
Highness the Maharajah, and then fall out again, leaving the command of the 
troops to the senior Native officer. On the death of a Maharajah or of any member 
of his family, the European officers have to fait in with the troops on foot, to salute 
the remains when they are taken to the cremation ground, after which the command 
devolves, as at other religious ceremonies, on the senior Native officer. Custom, 
however, it would seem, prescribes that the European officers should remain until 
after the funeral pyre has been set alight, when they are at liberty to depart. On 
the death of the Elaya Rajah in 1895, the European officers were present with the 
brigade in the fort from about 11-30 p.m to 4-30 a.m. There was some delay in 
carrying out the funeral arrangements, and the actual lighting of the pyre did not 
take place until about the latter hour. 


26. In 1842 the Government of India called for a report on the Nayar Bri- 

gade, and this was furnished by Captain Daly, the Acting 
Commandant. Captain Daly was not permitted to hold the 
command for long, for, in the following year, Lieutenant and Brevet Captain 
Lockhart was appointed Commandant. Captain Daly objected to his supersession, 
as he had with success on a former occasion in 1839, when Captain Logan, his junior 
in the brigade, was appointed Commandant. The Court of Directors, on the present 
occasion in a despatch, dated 1843, said that, in their opinion, 
Captain Daly, a local officer and the senior both in military 
rank and also in the brigade, should not have been superseded, and that an officer, 
his senior in rank, should have been appointed if it was inexpedient that he should 
get the vacancy, and they directed that Government should revise the appointment 
in conformity with their views. This was done a few months later, when Captain 
and Brevet Major Gunning was appointed Commandant in 1844, in succession to 
. Lieutenant Lockhart, in which year also Captain Davies, one of 

* the Battalion Commandants vacated his appointment. Lieute¬ 

nant Staig, the Brigade Quartermaster, then applied to be appointed to the vacancy 
with the local rank of Captain. This application was forwarded to Government by 
the Resident, who drew attention to the fact that Lieutenant Staig had nearly 13 
years’ service in Travancore and was an officer of approved conduct and character, 
to whom the command of a battalion was the only promotion and pecuniary advan¬ 
tage to which he as a local officer could look forward. The Resident also requested 
that, in the event of Lieutenant Staig’s application being favourably received, Gov¬ 
ernment would nominate a junior subaltern to succeed him as Quartermaster. 
Government replied that a subaltern officer would be placed at the disposal of the 
Resident to fill the appointment of Quartermaster, and further ruled that, in 
future, the appointment of Quartermaster when filled by an officer of the Com¬ 
pany’s service should be vacated when the holder was promoted to be a Regimental 
Captain. This was evidently done to prevent Lieutenant Staig being superseded. 

27. In 1847 a regular system of pensions on a small scale was sanctioned, 

and 129 of all ranks were transferred to the pension establish- 
lo^7. ment “ a much larger proportion,” the Resident said in writing 

to Government, “ than are likely to be brought forward again.” It was resolved 
by the Sircar after the first batch of men had been pensioned to limit the expenses 
of the pension establishment to 3 per cent, on the pay of the Native officers and 
men of the brigade. This arrangement remained in force until 1871. 


* The Sasthamangalom Procession .—His Highness the Maharajah goes in state to the pagoda at Sasthamanga¬ 
lom, a ‘village about 3 mileB from Trivandrum, on an auspicious day soon after the anniversary of his birthday. 

Poojapura Procession .—11 is Highness the Maharajah goes to Poojapura Hill in connection with the Dnsserah 
f est i val. 



PREFACE. 


[ 9 ] 


1847. 


28. When the pension scheme was established, a Staff 
officer on Rs. 100 a month was appointed for the first time. 


29. In 1848 the Collector of Tinnevelly made a claim for duty on gun¬ 
powder in transit from Palamcottah to Trivandrum for the use of the Nayar Resident’s 
Brigade, such powder having been supplied on payment from the arsenal at the datedmh 4 ’ 
former station. This led the Resident to write to the Madras Government saying January 1848 . 

that such a demand for duty had never been made before the pageiz""’ 

’ promulgation of Act VI of 1844, since whicfi duties on all 

articles passing the frontier had been more rigorously exacted. He however 
said that he felt sure that it was never intended by Government that such a duty 
should be levied on military stores supplied to a friendly State from the Com¬ 
pany’s own arsenals. Government taking the same view as the Resident directed 
that no duty should be charged on military stores supplied to Travancore. 

30. In the following year the Resident asked for the services of an officer to 

replace Lieutenant Crewe, who was Quartermaster and Staff 

officer. This officer was appointed to the brigade in Septem- Selection*, 
ber 1844. He must have been the junior officer asked for by the Resident to P a s e23 - 
replace Lieutenant Staig as Quartermaster, should Government sanction the 
latter’s promotion to the command of a battalion of the brigade, and he must 
have been the first Staff officer appointed under the arrangement of 1847. After 
a trial of two years Lieutenant, or as he was now Captain, Staig was appa¬ 
rently found not to be a success as a Battalion Commander, for the proposal made 
by the Resident is that he revert to his old appointment of Quartermaster for 
which it was found he was better adapted. The Resident in writing to Govern¬ 
ment pointed out that this arrangement would, if a subaltern with the local rank 
of Captain were appointed to succeed Captain Staig in command of a battalion, 
result in a small saving (Rs. 26) to the Travancore Government. It was also 
proposed that Captain Staig should, in addition to the office of Quartermaster, 
also hold that of Staff officer. Whether this proposition was sanctioned is not 
known, for Government merely said in tneir order thereon that an officer to replace 
Lieutenant Crewe would be appointed. 

31. In June 1850 Major Grant was appointed Commandant of the Brigade. 

Not fully comprehending the habits of the men and the 
ioou. constitution of the brigade, he issued stringent orders regard- Major 

ing the performance of guard and garrison duties somewhat similar to those “ aD! 
obtaining in the Regular army. He ordered the daily relief of guards in place 
of reliefs on every fourth day as had been and is to this day customary. This Selections, 
overtaxed the men’s energies and deprived them of the leisure they otherwise had page 33 ' 
to attend to the cultivation of their fields and gardens, the produce of which was 
necessary to their subsistence. Many men in consequence deserted the service or 
took their discharge. The Resident therefore found it necessary to point out to 
Colonel Grant the great difference existing between the Nayar troops and a regi¬ 
ment of the Regular army. The Resident’s representation probably had the effect 
of restoring matters to their former footing, for nothing more is recorded. 


32. In 1851 a separate Medical officer, Dr. Sperschneider, was appointed to 
the brigade, and the Durbar Physician was relieved of the 
medical charge. 


1851. 


33. Lieutenant Daly was promoted to Captain by neet or commission from Despatch No. 

His Highness the Rajah in 1836, and this rank he was still gtn’jjeeem 
holding in 1854. He then made an unsuccessful application ber 1854,™ 
for promotion to the Brevet rank of Major. This was referred by the Durbar ^Di^ctor* 
to the Resident who, in his turn, referred it for the decision of Government Selections, 
saying that the Nayar Brigade appeared invariably to have been commanded by P a s e 113 - 
officers holding the rank of Regimental Captain, Brevet Major, or Major in the 
Company’s service, and that he was doubtful of the effect which Captain Daly’s pro¬ 
motion to the rank of Major might have on the future appointment of Company’s 
officers to the brigade. The Madras Government doubted the expediency of His 


PREFACE. 


[ io ] 


Highness conferring on Captain Daly, a local officer of the brigade, the Brevet 
rank of Major; and the Court of Directors, while noticing with satisfaction the testi¬ 
mony borne by the Resident to the character and services of Captain Daly, con¬ 
curred with the Madras Government in thinking his promotion inexpedient. 


Selections, 
pages 98-100. 


Letter from 
Resident, No. 
222, dated 5th 
February 
1855. 


Resident’s 
letter No. 308, 
dated 18th 
February 
1860. 


34. In 1854 the command of the brigade again fell vacant, Lieutenant-Colonel 

Grant proceeded to Europe on sick certificate, and Captain 
1855. Daly again endeavoured to obtain command and complained 

of his supersession. The Madras Government in replying observed that he 
was not entitled to command during the lengthened period for which Colonel Grant 
was to be absent, and pointed out that the orders of the Court of Directors 
refusing to allow him the local rank of Major showed that they were not dis¬ 
posed to approve that the command should devolve on him either permanently 
or for a protracted period, and further they were of opinion that, as Captain Daly, 
who had recently made application for a retiring pension, was unequal to the duties 
of a battalion, ho could scarcely be deemed equal to the command of a whole 
brigade. This reply was approved by the Court of Directors. 

In this year (1855) the pay of the European Non-commissioned officers was 
raised to Rs. 100 per mensem. 

35. Only once again in the records is the name of Captain Daly to be found, 

that is, in the year 1861, and then only retrospectively, when 
he is referred to as having remonstrated on Dr. Patterson, the 
Durbar Physician, having been given precedence of himself. This objection was 
made some years previously to 1861. The result of his remonstrance was that, in 
consequence of his long service, it was decided he should rank next the Command¬ 
ing Officer and that the Durbar Physician should come after him. Captain Daly 
retired in 1860 on a pension of Rs. 350 per mensem after a service in the brigade 
of 41 years. 


Selections, 
pages 113 
et. seq.' 


Selections, 
pages 113 
et seq. 

19th Septem¬ 
ber 1836, No. 

182. 


Selections, 
pages 29 
et. seq. 


Selections, 
pages 29 
et. seq. 

G.O., No. 

360, dated 
3rd December 
1863. 


36. This question of rank seems to have always been a trouble in Travancore. 
In the correspondence of 1861, it was referred to Government in consequence of a 
disagreement as to how the British officers should take rank. It appears that an 
officer of the Company’s service (Captain Young) was appointed to the brigade, and 
he, on joining and in the absence of the Commandant, assumed command of the 
brigade from Lieutenant (Brevet Captain) Hay, bis junior officer in rank, but his 
senior by reason of length of service in the brigade. Captain Hay objected as he 
said that, by the orders of the Government of India as he was senior in the brigade 
to Captain Young, he should not have been superseded by the last-named officer. 
The Resident agreed with Daptair Hay and said that he was satisfied that Captain 
Young assuming command was a mistake. A few days after the date of Captain 
Hay’s letter complaining of his supersession, Captain Young raised the question of 
precedence through the Commanding Officer. As a result of the reference it was 
ruled that the Durbar Physician should take rank and sit next to the Officer 
Commanding: at Durbars and before the second in command, and that the officers 
of the brigade should take rank according to their commission in the brigade. 


37. In the year 1863, the third reduction in the strength 
of the brigade took place. This reduction consisted of— 

1 Captain. 20 Naigues. 

20 Havildars. 260 Sepoys. 

24 sepoys were almost immediately afterwards re-enlisted. 

The 2 battalions were thus formed into 16 companies, 12 of which con¬ 
sisted of 72 privates and the other 4, 75 each. The object of this reduction is 
not clear. It was very likely effected so as to enable the iSircar to make a further 
addition to the Police force without any great extra expense. But from a subse¬ 
quent request of the Madras Government that information should be given as to 
whether the pay of the men had been raised since the reduction, it may be inferred 
that the object was in part at least to increase the pay of the men of the brigade. 
The exact strength of the brigade after its reduction in November 1863 was as 
follows:— 



PREFACE. 


[ n ] 


Subadars ... 
Jemadars .., 
Havildars ... 


16 
* 17 

t 83 


Naigues ... ... ... +83 

Sepoys ... ... ... §1,209 

Drummers, fifers and buglers § 46 


38. In consequence of the fourth European officer having been dispensed 
with as mentioned above, the duties of Quartermaster and Staff officer were appor¬ 
tioned between the Officers Commanding Battalions, and their pay was raised to 
Rs. 500 per mensem. They also subsequently received house-rent Rs. 50 each, in 
lieu of a free bouse if such was not available. The pay of the Commanding Officer 
was however in consequence of the reduction in the strength of the brigade reduced 
to Rs. 1,000 a month with effect from the retirement of Colonel Drury the Com¬ 
mandant at the time of re-organization. 

The total reduction effected on three occasions [| amounted to— 

20 Naigues. 


1 Captain. 

20 Havildars. 


860 Sepoys. 


Selections, 
pages 31 et. 
seq. G.O., 

No. 360, dated 
3rd December 
1863. 

Selections, 
pages 65 and 
66. G.O., 

No. 262, dated 
30th June 
1814 ;and 
G.O., No. 313, 
dated 25th 
July 1874. 
Selections, 
page 55. G.O., 
No, 93, dated 
6th April 
1867. 


1863. 


1866. 


39. After the reduction of officers and men in 1863 and the revision of the 
pay of the European officers, the Madras Government had 
inquired, as stated in paragraph 37, to what extent the pay 

of the men of the brigade had been increased, and the Resident was requested to 
submit for the information of Government a brief report on the organization, 
discipline and efficiency of the Brigade. Major Maclean consequently drew up for 
the Resident a memorandum (vide page 57 of selections) furnishing the necessary 
information. 

40. In 1866 the European Drill Instructor was appointed to perform the 
duties of Quartermaster-Sergeant in addition to his own, with 
an additional allowance of Rs. 50 per mensem. 

41. On reference to paragraph 3 of the Resident’s letter No. 1-A, dated 4th Selections,. 

January 1868, mention will be found of old and new barracks, 
lobo. The old Brigade barracks and Parade ground were situated letter, 

where the present Huzur Cutcherry now stands, and these barracks were pulled ^d mt’t 
down in order to enable the cutcherry to be built. The question of accommodating July i866„ 
the Nayar troops was solved by permitting them to occupy the barracks built by 
the British troops about the year 1809 (vide paragraph 5 of this memorandum). 

These barracks were and are clearly British property, and the brigade is only per¬ 
mitted to occupy them temporarily on the condition that they are kept in a proper 
state of repair and that they are vacated whenever required by the British Govern¬ 
ment and at the shortest notice. 

42. When the brigade was re-organized by Captain McLeod in 1819, it was 

supplied with repaired muskets from the British Arsenals, 
lobo. These were old flint locks and were apparently in use down 

to the year 1868, when the Sircar expressed its desire to replace them by the 
smooth bore muskets used by Native (British) Regiments and through the Resident 
asked for a supply of 1,842. The correspondence extended to 
1870 when the Resident again represented that the arms then 
in use were in a dangerous condition. It had, it seems, been the desire of the 
Officer Commanding to re-arm the brigade with rifles, but he changed his mind on the g.o., n 0 . 165 , 
grounds that the course of musketry would be too difficult, the cost of the weapon dated l3th 
greater, and the services of a Musketry Instructor indispensable. He added that ay 1 
he doubted whether, seeing that service in jungle tracts was obligatory, proper 
care would be taken of them. The Madras Government on receipt of the Resident’s 
letter stated that they were of opinion that the Nayar Brigade should be armed 
with the same description of small arms as it was proposed to supply to the British 
Native Infantry ** Regiments, as the brigade was commanded by British officers 


* Includes 1 Jemadar of Artillery. § Includes 25 Sepoys of Artillery and 20 bandsmen. 

+ Includes 2 Havildars of Artillery. || 1826, 1830, 1863. 

I Includes 2 Naigues of Artillery. 

This is not so now, the Cardamon Hill Detachment has been withdrawn, and the men are only detached for 
duty at the principal towns in Travancore. ## It is believed Snider Rifles. 






PEEFACE. 


[ 12] 


Se ections. 
page 102.8 ; 
G.O., No. 98, 
dated 30th 
March 1871. 


and drilled on the British system ; but as it was probable that there would be 
considerable delay in the final disposal of the question they assented as a temporary 
measure to the proposal to arm the Nayar Brigade with short smooth bore percus¬ 
sion muskets such as were used by the Madras Police. This temporary arrangement 
did not meet with the approval of the Sircar, and the Dewan said that they would 
not have proposed the supply of the smooth bore muskets if there was any prospect 
of further change and additional expense, wdiich the views of the Madras Government 
would involve. The Madras Government merely recorded the Resident’s letter, in 
which he represented this objection on the part of the Sircar. It seems that the 
smooth bore muskets were not available for issue from the Madras Arsenal, for they 
were obtained from London from Messrs. Greener & Co., and at the same time 
accoutrements for issue with the rifles were also purchased. There is no record of 
what accoutrements were in use with the brigade in early days. Those obtained 
from Messrs. Greener & Co. were of black leather and consisted of waist belt 
with pouch and a cross-belt pouch. At a later period these were replaced by buff 
leather accoutrements, and the same description of accoutrements are now in use. 
Prior to the receipt of the muskets (sword bayonets were also obtained at the 
same time) and accoutrements from Messrs. Greener & Co., it had been invariably 
the custom to obtain all military stores from the Madras Arsenal, and this has been 
the custom since. Messrs. Greener & Co.’s muskets and sword bayonets are still 
in use. The rifles are in a very unserviceable if not dangerous state. Only two or 
three years after their receipt the Commanding Officer condemned them as being 
of a most inferior description, and having musket and bayonet together with the 
accoutrements only cost Rs. 20-12-0 each. While referring to the small arms 
of the brigade, it may perhaps be as well to mention that no information is avail¬ 
able as to whether any change from the original armament of Artillery as obtained 
for the Sircar by Major McDowall in 1819 has taken place.* Two 12-pounder 
howitzers were however obtained from the Madras Arsenal in 1874 to replace two 6 
pounders which had become unserviceable. The Artillery is now in possession of 
four 12-pounder muzzle-loading howitzers and two brass muzzle-loading 3 pound¬ 
ers. These are unserviceable and fit only for saluting purposes and for firing the 
daily time guns. 

43. The records of the brigade from 1871 to the present time contain only a 
few matters of interest or importance which are noticed below. 

44. In 1871 the first regular system of pensions was sanctioned by the 

Maharajah. Definite rules were drawn up and pensions and 

gratuities on principles similar to those in force in the British 
Native Army were granted. The rates of pension remained the same, but it 
was possible for all men disqualified from active service to be placed on 
the pension list, whereas under the 1847 arrangement men had to wait until 
vacancies occurred among those already drawing pension. From time to time 
slight alterations have been made in the rates of pension, and at the present time 
(1897) all ranks can claim their discharge after 30 years’ service when they get 
half pay of their rank as pension. Pensions at a special rate can also be obtained 
between 25 and 30 years’ service on medical certificate. No alteration has been 
made in gratuities mentioned. For service from 10 to 15 years, all ranks get 3 
months’ pay of their rank as gratuity ; from 15 to 20 they get 6 months’ and from 
20 to 25 years a year’s pay. Gratuities are only granted on medical certificate. 


45. In 1875 a graduated system of pay was first introduced, by which the 

1875 raen °b ta h ie d on enlistment Rs. 5-8-0 per mensem, which they 

continued to draw until the completion of their fourteenth 
year of service when they received an increase of As. 8, and on the completion 
of 21 years another half rupee was granted. In 1894 these rates were again 
increased by half a rupee all round. 

46. In 1877 in consequence of an increase made in the strength of the Carda- 

2877 morn Hill Detachment, 2 Ilavildars and 16 Sepoys were added 

to the brigade.f 


* Vide however selections, page 18 

t No record authorizing this increase can he found either in the brigade or Resident’s office ; there is, however a 
letter from the Dewan —vide page 39. 




PREFACE. 


[ '3 ] 


47. 


In 1879 Sergeant-Major Schofield being found unequal to the combined 
1879 duties of Drill Instructor and Quartermaster-Sergeant, a 

reversion to the system of having 2 European Non-commis¬ 
sioned officers was made. 

48. On the death of Dr. Sperschneider in 1882, an officer of the Madras 

1002 Medical Establishment was appointed, and this system of 

appointing officers from the British Medical service continued 
down to the year 1885. 

49. In 1884 the Commandant Colonel Ketchen proposed to the Sircar the 

1004 reduction of one European officer, that is, to have only one 

Commandant and one other officer to command both’ bat¬ 
talions. Colonel Ketchen was of opinion that the reduction desired was practicable 
without sacrifice of efficiency, though it would entail considerable additions to the 
duties to be performed by the remaining officers, and he recommended in the 
event of the proposition being sanctioned that the pay of the remaining officers 
should be raised. The Resident, Mr. Hannyngton, agreeing with his predecessor 
Mr. MacGregor, considered it inadvisable to adopt the proposal, and the Madras 
Government in replying to the reference, stated that, while no obstacle would be 
opposed to the reduction of the Nayar Brigade to one battalion of seven or eight 
hundred men, the Governor in Council considered that, so long as the existing 
organization was maintained, there must be an English officer in command of 
each battalion. This is the last occasion on which a reduction of the brigade has 
been proposed. 

50. Reference has been made previously (vide paragraph 18) to Lieutenant 

jggg Etaig being the last local officer appointed by the Sircar to the 

brigade until recent times, when Lieutenant Ferguson was 
appointed. This officer, Lieutenant Ferguson, was originally in the Royal Artillery, 
but resigned his commission. Some years later (.1880), on the introduction of 
Reserve of officers for the Home army, he joined and was granted a commission 
in it. In 1885 the command of a battalion having fallen vacant, Lieutenant 
Ferguson was appointed to command it by the Madras Government. In 
doing so they overlooked the fact that officers of the brigade when on furlough 
drew their furlough allowances from the British Government and the actual 
appointment to the brigade is made by His Highness the Maharaja. In 1886 
Lieutenant Ferguson applied for furlough and expected to be granted the usual 
allowances while on leave, but as he did not belong to the Indian army, he was 
not entitled to draw any allowance from the Indian or Home Government, so he 
had to take his leave without allowances.* In 1894 Lieutenant Ferguson again 
required leave, and on this occasion he was permitted to draw Rs. 450 (Rs. 400 
pay and 50 house-rent) of his pay and allowances, the remaining Rs. 100 being 
given to the officer who acted for him. The Resident Mr. Grigg then represented 
the hardship of Lieutenant Ferguson’s case to tire Madras Government and said 
that, except as a matter of grace on the part of the Sircar and with the approval 
of the British Government, he could not draw any leave allowances, except when 
on privilege leave, from the Sircar treasury, and in order to define his position the 
Resident made certain proposals to Government with a view to the recognition 
of Lieutenant Ferguson’s services as permanent and not temporary, and thus to 
secure him both leave allowances and pension in the future. The result of these 
proposals was that, as recommended by the Dewan, Lieutenant Ferguson was 
required to resign his commission in the Reserve of Officers, the Madras Government 
cancelled his appointment by itself to the brigade, and the Sircar gazetted him as 
a local officer from the date of his original appointment by the British Government, 
his pay and allowances, both when with the brigade and on leave, were clearly 
defined, and the pension to which he would become entitled on retiring from the 
service was laid down. His position in the brigade is junior to the other European 
Battalion officer holding the Queen’s commission. Thus, for the first time, revers¬ 
ing the orders hitherto in force that seniority in the brigade among battalion 


* The bonus referred to in Mr. Grigg’s letter was given to Lieutenant Ferguson for his services as guardian 
to the princes. > 


Selections, 
page 43. 
Resident’s 
letter, 

No. 150, 
dated let 
December 
1884; G.O., 
No. 337, 

dated 15th 
May 1885. 


Selections, 
page 46. 

G.O., No. 337, 
dated 15th 
May 1885. 


G.O., No. 10, 
dated 24th 
July 1885. 


Selections, 
pages 85 et 
seq. 




PREFACE. 


Selections, 
page 74. 


Resident’s 
letter, C. 

N o. 16, dated 
15th March 
1895 ; and 
G.O., No. 543, 
dated 16th 
August 1895. 


Selections, 
page 110. 
G.O., No. 471, 
dated 18th 
July 1895. 
G.O., No. 454, 
dated 22nd 
July 1896. 


G.O., No. 825, 
dated 1st 
December 
1896. 


[ 14] 

officers was regulated bj the length of time officers had served therein. Lieutenant 
Ferguson is also prohibited from assuming command of the brigade even tem¬ 
porarily without the express sanction of the British Government.* 

51. In 1885 Dr. Kees was appointed Local Medical officer of the brigade 

and continued to serve till 1887, when the Durbar dispensed 
with his services, and Surgeon-Captain H. Thomson of the 
Madras Medical Establishment was appointed. He held the appointment till 1894, 
when Dr. Innes, an officer selected by the Secretary of State for India at the 
request of the Travancore Sircar, succeeded him. In the year following Dr. Innes’ 
appointment, his health necessitated his taking sick leave and he proceeded to 
Cairo, where he died shortly afterwards. He was succeeded in the same year 
(1895) by Dr. Perkins, also selected by Secretary of State, and he is at the 
present time (1897) the Medical officer of the brigade. The subordinate staff 
of the hospital consisted for many years of an Assistant Surgeon and an 
apothecary, but quite recently the Assistant Surgeon’s place has been taken by 
an apothecary and two hospital assistants have also been appointed in the place 
of a single apothecary. These medical subordinates belong to the Civil Medical 
Establishment and are relieved periodically. 

52. Owing to Colonel Brereton, the Officer Commanding, retiring in 1895, 

Mr. Grigg, the Resident, thought it a good opportunity to 
revise the system under which officers were appointed to 
command the brigade. He advocated employment in the brigade being con¬ 
sidered as purely military service, and thought that its officers should not be con¬ 
sidered as in civil employ. He also raised other questions concerning the Army 
rank of the Commandant, his pay and allowances, and the period for which he 
should hold command. The Madras Government, after a reference to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, passed an order on Mr. Grigg’s recommendation to the effect that 
no change in their opinion was necessary, and no change has therefore been made. 
One matter in Mr. Grigg’s letter calls for passing notice. He stated in the conclud¬ 
ing paragraph of his letter that he had not traced any order, cancelling the rule 
requiring the Commandant to vacate on proceeding on leave on medical certificate, 
and he concluded by recommending its rescission. This question first attracted 
attention in the year 1867, when the Resident represented to Government the dis¬ 
advantageous position in which this placed the Commandant as compared with that 
of other officers, and Government announced their willingness to rescind the rule if 
desired by His Highness the Maharajah. To this rescission His Highness assented. 
Since this no Commanding Officer has taken sick leave, but Commanding Officers as 
well as others on furlough have, since the date of the Madras Government’s order 
expressing their willingness to rescind the order and the Maharajah’s assent, invari¬ 
ably retained their appointments on leave, and this retention is expressly provided 
for in the Standing Orders for the Brigade of 1876. Officers of the British Army 
in the service of Travancore are under the Leave Rules to which they were sub¬ 
jected prior to their joining the brigade. Their leave allowances are paid by the 
British Government, but a contribution equivalent to half staff salary is paid to 
the Imperial Government by Travancore. 

53. In 1895 Sergeant Schofield was pensioned, and the Quartermaster- 

Sergeant’s duties were again performed by the Drill Instruc- 
1895. tor in addition to his own, and this is the arrangement now 

in force. 

54. Colonel Brereton retired in 1895, and was succeeded by Captain F. W. 
Dawson who was, at the time of his appointment, Assistant Resident in Travan- 
eore and Cochin. 

55. In 1896 a proposal was made by the Sircar to arm the force with Martini- 

1896 Henry rifles (see G.O., No. 165, of 13th May 1870). This 

proposal however did not meet with the approval of the 
Madras Government, who considered that it would be sufficient if the brigade 
was armed with smooth bore breech loaders. 


• Since the above was written Lieutenant, Ferguson has been transferred to the Civil Department and the vaeancy 
thus caused has been filled by the appointment of Lieutenant Bousfield, 26th 31.1. 



PREFACE. 


[ 15 ] 


56. In regard to the clothing of the brigade the custom in former days was 

Clothing to ^ e( t u ct a P ai> t the men ’ s pay for its provision, and what¬ 

ever portion of such deduction was left unexpended at the 

end of the year was repaid to the men under the designation of compensation 
on account of clothing. This system was continued till 1838, when the men 
were supplied with a free kit by the Sircar. Clothing was obtained by the 
Officer Commanding through a contractor at Madras till the year 1856, when 
the Resident, at the request of the Commanding Officer, obtained the sanction 
of the Madras Government to its supply on payment by the Agent for Army 
Clothing, Madras, and this system still continues to be in force. The full 
dress uniform of men from the very beginning has been modelled on that worn by 
British Native Infantry Regiments. The last change was made in 1885, when 
the British Regiments adopted zouave jackets and knickerbockers, and a similar 
change was made in the brigade with the exception of the knickerbockers. The 
every-day uniform at the present time is a white coat and blue serge trousers. 
When the new full dress was introduced, puggrees were also for the first time 
worn in place of the old pattern skull cap like that formerly worn by British Native 
Infantry Regiments. The sepoys of the brigade do not wear boots or sandals. 

57. The discipline of the brigade is provided for by a system of minor 

_. . ,. punishments as well as by Articles of War. Both are now 

v ' under revision. The Articles of War now in force date from 
the year 1847, and the Standing Orders were drawn up in 1876. The men are 
very well behaved and punishments, especially courts-martial, are infrequent. 

58. The brigade (excepting the Artillery which consists one half of Carnatic 
Hindus and the other half of Muhammadans) is composed 
entirely of Nayars of the following sects :— 


Caste. 


Ilium. 

Soroopam. 
Tamilp attain. 
Pathamanofalam. 


Pandaree. 

Mauran. 

Caroovalum. 

Yathee. 


Leave. 

Drill. 

61. The men 
Lines. 


No man is enlisted unless he can satisfy a Committee of Native officers that 
he belongs to one of these classes. 

59. All Native Ranks are allowed 30 days’ privilege leave in the year, besides 
a liberal allowance of leave for ceremonies affecting the men’s 
religion and for marriages and deaths. 

60. The Infantry Drill Book is the guide used for con¬ 
ducting the drill and exercises of the brigade, 
of the brigade do not live in lines; they occupy their own 
houses which are much scattered about. Some men have to 
come in 10 or 11 miles for the performance of their duties. 

62. We have now traced the various changes in the brigade from the earliest 
period from which records are available down to the present time. No authentic 
records regarding the very early history- of the military forces of His Highness 
the Maharajah are obtainable. Most of what has been written regarding the 
Nayar troops prior to the re-organization of the Travancore troops in 1819, 
has been obtained from Major Heber Drury’s Account of Travancore and Father 
Bartholomeo’s Travels in that Country. Father Bartholomeo’s book was written 
in Italian and originally published in Rome in 1796. Major Drury’s pamphlet 
contains much interesting information, and it has been largely quoted by Shungunny 
Menon in his History of Travancore. It is now out of print. 

No attempt has hitherto been made to collect and to put in narrative form 
information regarding the history of the Nayar Brigade. This attempt is very 
far from being a complete or exhaustive one, for the records are very meagre and 
for the most part do not contain anything of importance, but refer principally to 
the appointment, &c., of officers. In fact, the word history is rather a misnomer 
for, with large gaps in the records and upon information of a trivial nature only, 
it has been found exceedingly difficult to write connectedly, and this paper should, 
more properly speaking, be termed a precis of available papers. Such as it is, 
it is hoped that it may prove useful. Nothing has been written concerning the 
period subsequent to 1819, which is not confirmed by records. The following 

/ 


Selections, 
pages 126-27 
Major Camp¬ 
bell’s memo¬ 
randum of 
18th January 
1841. 


Letter from 
Dewan to 
O.C., 

973 . 

No> 1838 o£ 
31st July 
1838. 



PREFACE. 


[ 16 ] 


statements show the present strength of the brigade, its pay and allowances, 
detachments furnished, and clothing provided free by Government: 


Statement showing the present strength of the Brigade. 


1 Officer Commanding the Brigade. 

1 Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion. 

1 Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion. 
1 Medical officer. 

1 Sergeant-Major and Quartermaster- 
Sergeant 

1st Battalion. 

1 Subadar-Major. 

7 Subadars. 

8 Jemadars. 

1 Havildar-Major 
l Drill Havildar. 

39 Havildars. 

1 Drill Naigue. 

39 Naigues. 

590 Sepoys. 

1 Drum-Major. 

8 Drummers. 

9 Pliers. 

2nd Battalion. 

1 Subadar-Major. 

7 Subadars. 

8 Jemadars. 

1 Havildar-Major. 

1 Drill Havildar. 

39 Havildars. 

1 Drill Naigue. 

39 Naigues. 

590 Sepoys. 

] Fife-Major. 

8 Drummers. 

9 Fifers. 



Artillery. 

1 Jemadar. 

2 Havildars. 

2 Naigues. 

25 Gunners. 

Band. 

1 Havildar. 

1 Naigue. 

30 Musicians. 

Civilians attached to the Brigade. 

1 Band Director. 

1 Interpreter. 

1 Samprithy. 

4 English Clerks. 

4 Accountants. 

1 Head Rayasam. 

2 Shekaries. 

20 Company Writers. 

1 Tailor Maistry. 

5 Artificers. 

1 Chuckler. 

2 Fuckallies. 

4 Toties. 

4 Sweepers. 

Brigade Hospital. 

1 Apothecary. 

2 Hospital Assistants. 

1 Storekeeper. 

2 Toties. 

3 Ward Boys. 

2 Sweepers. 

1 Dhoby. 


Statement showing Pay and Allowances of the Brigade. 


Officer Commanding the Bri¬ 

RS. 

CH. 

c. 

gade, Bh. Rs., 1,000 

1,017 24 

0 

Officer Commanding the 1st 




Battalion, Bh. Rs. 550 

559 

23 

0 

Officer Commanding the 2nd 




Battalion, Bh. Rs. 690 

702 

9 

0 

Medical officer, Bh. Rs. 500 ... 

508 26 

0 

Sergt.-Major and Quartermas- 




ter-Sergt., Bh. Rs. 170 

173 

1 

0 

1st Battalion. 




Subadar-Major 

40 

0 

0 

Subadar, 1st Class 

30 

0 

0 

Subadar, 2nd Class 

26 

0 

0 

Subadar, 3rd Class 

24 

0 

0 

Jemadar, 1st Class 

15 

0 

0 

Jemadar, 2nd Class 

13 

0 

0 

Jemadar, 3rd Class 

12 

0 

0 

Havildar-Major ... ... 

11 

7 

0 

Drill Havildar... ... ... 

11 

7 

0 

Havildar 

9 

0 

0 

Drill Naigue. 

8 

21 

0 


1st Battalion— cont. 


Naigue ... 

Sepoy, 1st Class ... 
Sepoy, 2nd Class 
Sepoy, 3rd Class 
Drum-Major 
Drummer 
Eifer . 


2nd Battalion. 

Subadar-Major ... 

Subadar, 1st Class 
Subadar, 2nd Class 
Subadar, 3rd Class 
Jemadar, 1st Class 
Jemadar, 2nd Class 
Jemadar, 3rd Class 
Havildar-Major ... 

Drill Havildar ... 

Havildar 
Drill Naigue 

Naigue. 


8 0 0 

7 0 0 
6 14 0 
6 0 0 

13 0 0 

8 0 0 
8 0 0 


40 0 0 
30 0 0 
26 0 0 
24 0 0 
15 0 0 
13 0 0 
12 0 0 
117 0 
117 0 
9 0 0 
8 21 0 
8 0 0 




















PREFACE. 


[ 17 ] 


Statement showing Pay and Allowances of the Brigade —continued. 


2nd Battalion — cont. 



RS. 

CH. 

c. 

— cont. 





Sepoy, 1st Class 

... 7 

0 

0 



RS. 

CH. 

c. 

Sepoy, 2nd Class 

... 6 

14 

0 

English Clerk (Store) 


18 

0 

0 

Sepoy, 3rd Class 

... 6 

0 

0 

Head Accountant 


25 

0 

0 

Fife-Major 

... 11 

0 

0 

Accountant 


15 

0 

0 

Drummer 

... 8 

0 

0 

Head Rayasam 


15 

0 

0 

Fifer . 

... 8 

0 

0 

Shekari... 


14 

0 

0 





Company Writer 


7 

0 

0 

Artillery. 




Tailor Maistry 


14 

8 

0 

Jemadar 

... 17 

0 

0 

Smith Maistry 


14 

0 

0 

Havildar 

... 10 

21 

0 

Smith, 1st 


8 

0 

0 

Naigue ... 

... 9 

3 

8 

Smith, 2nd 


8 

0 

0 

Gunner, 1st Class 

... 7 

14 

0 

Hammerman 


5 

5 

0 

Gunner, 2nd Class 

... 7 

0 

0 

Bellows Boy ... 


a 22 

0 

Gunner, 3rd Class 

... 6 

14 

0 

Chuckler 


10 

0 

0 





Puckalli 


4 

6 

8 

Band. 




Toty . 


7 

0 

0 

Havildar 

... 13 

0 

0 

Sweeper 


1 

17 

0 

Naigue 

... It 

14 

0 

Sweeper 


1 

2 

0 

Musician 

... 10 

0 

0 

Brigade Hospital. 




Civilians attached to 

the Brigade. 

Apothecary 


132 

0 

0 





Hospital Assistant 


42 

14 

0 

Band Director ... 

... 250 

0 

0 

Storekeeper 


25 

0 

0 

Interpreter 

... 55 

0 

0 

Toty . 


7 

0 

0 

Sampritliy 

... 35 

0 

0 

Ward Boy ... ... 


5 

14 

0 

English Clerk (Staff office) 

... 30 

0 

0 

Sweeper 


2 

4 

0 

English Clerk (Battalion) 

... 15 

0 

0 

Dhoby ... 


5 

0 

0 


Civilians attached to the Brigade 


European officers appointed to the brigade draw pay from the date they are 
struck oft' the strength of their British Regiments, and their travelling expenses are 
borne by the Sircar. 

The pay of Battalion Commanders is Rs. 500 plus Rs. 50 house-rent. Lieu¬ 
tenant Ferguson draws a special rate of pay, namely Rs. 640 plus Rs. 50 house- 
rent. Vide footnote to paragraph 50. 


Statement showing the Clothing provided to the men free by Government. 


1 white coat 
1 pair serge trowsers 
1 turband 
1 carpet ... 

1 zouave jacket ... 
1 great coat 
1 sash 


... Every year. 

... Once in two years. 
... Once in three years. 
... Once in five years. 
... Once in six years. 

... Once in ten years. 
... Once in ten years. 


Detachments furnished by the Nayar Brigade. 


— 

Jemadar. 

Havildars. 

Naignes. 

Sepoys. 

Alleppey 


2 

2 

30 

Todupuzha 


. . 

1 

6 

Quilou Tobacco bank-shall .. .. ,. 


1 


8 

Quilon J ail 


. , 

1 

6 

Quilon District Tannah .. .. 


, . 

1 

3 

Shencottah 


, . 

1 

6 

Snchiudram .. .. .. .. .. 

1 

1 

1 

8 

Kottar .. .. .. 


1 

, . 

8 

Cape Comorin .. .. .. .. .. .. 


• . 

1 

4 

Nagercoil .. .. 


• . 

1 

5 

Bhntapandi .. .. 


. . 

1 

4 

Aramboly .. ., 


1 

• • 

5 


Trivandrum, 

8th July 1897. 


F. W. DAWSON, Captain, I.S.C., 
Commanding Nayar Brigade. 






























































A SELECTION FROM THE RECORDS REGARDING THE NAYAIi 
BRIGADE OF TRAVANCOHE. 


5 


I.—THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION OF THE NAYAR BRIGADE. 


(1) —Extract from, the Minutes of Consultation, dated 7th May 1817, Nos. 6 and 7» 

Political Department. 

Read —the following paper :— 

No. 6. From J. MUNRO, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin* to the Chief 
Secretary to Government* Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 19th April 
1817. 

I am induced by many reasons to recommend that the small corps of Nayar 
Infantry at present in Travancore may be placed, by the authority of Govern* 
ment, under the command of an English officer and upon an improved footing of 
efficiency and discipline. 

At the period of the commencement of the war in Travancore an establish¬ 
ment of regular infantry consisting of twelve battalions and commanded by Euro* 
peans, or the descendants of Europeans, was supported by that State. The whole 
of this force was afterwards reduced, with the exception of about 700 Nayar 
sepoys retained for the services of the Rajah’s palace and of the pagodas of 
Trivandrum and Palpanaverum. This weak corps, without arms or discipline, is 
of little utility to the public interests, and Her Highness the Rannee is anxious 
that arrangements should be made for increasing its strength and efficiency and 
putting it under the orders of an English officer. 

This measure will be attended with many evident advantages to both the 
States. The services of a small and efficient corps of Nayar Infantry will provide 
for the maintenance of internal tranquillity in Travancore and give full liberty in 
cases of emergency to the employment of the British subsidiary force in any part 
of the empire. The attachment exhibited by the people of Travancore to the 
measures of their government and the affection and respect uniformly manifested 
by Her Highness the Rannee towards the British nation justify me in expressing a 
decided opinion that if a corps of regular Nayar troops should be maintained under 
an English officer for the suppression of robberies or of partial tumults, the whole 
of the subsidiary force might be withdrawn to a distance from Travancore without 
producing any danger to the internal tranquillity of that state. I mention this as 
a case of exigency only, for the subsidiary treaty and the evident purpose of the 
payment of a large subsidy to the British Government suppose in ordinary circum¬ 
stances the maintenance of a body of British troops in Travancore for the general 
protection of the Rajah’s dominions and government. The policy of encouraging 
the allied States to form efficient military establishments is, in my judgment, liable 
to many objections if pursued to a great extent, but it may be carried into effect 
with advantage in a limited degree and under certain precautions. A small and 
well-disciplined body of troops commanded by an English officer will constitute a 
useful auxiliary to the subsidiary force and give greater freedom to its employment 
in services of a general description. A small corps will be useful in a situation 
where a large one would be pernicious and dangerous. The former will be too 
weak 1o serve as an instrument of ambition, but sufficiently strong to support the 
government and secure internal tranquillity. 




2 



On these grounds,, and in compliance with the request of Her Highness the 
Rannee, I beg leave to propose that the body of Nayar Infantry in Travancore 
may be increased to the strength of 1,200 men, supplied with arms and placed, by 
the authority of the British Government, under the command of Captain A. MacLeod 
of the 9th Regiment N.I., now employed, with the permission of His Excellency 
the Commander-in-Chief, in Travancore. Captain MacLeod has already brought to- 
a high state of discipline and efficiency a body of about fifty cavalry formed at the 
request of the Rannee for the service of her escort, and he has also at her desire 
assumed the general charge of the Nayar Infantry. Her Highness having under¬ 
stood that his present situation is temporary only, has repeatedly urged me in the 
most earnest manner to procure its confirmation by the authority of the Govern¬ 
ment, and I beg leave to second her request from my knowledge of Captain MacLeod’s 
character and abilities. His conduct has given general satisfaction and has gained 
the attachment and respect of all parties. Actuated by an ardent zeal for the- 
honour of his country and by the firmest principles of integrity, he has acquired the 
confidence of the Rannee and the people, and the British Government may in every 
emergency calculate upon his prudence and exertions in promoting the interests of 
the public service. I would recommend that Captain MacLeod might be appointed 
by Government to command the escort of the Rajah of Travancore or placed by 
the authority of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council at the disposal of 
the Resident for the purpose of being attached to. the Rajah’s troops. 


No. 7. Ordered to lie on the table.. 


(2)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated the 19 th of March 1818,. Nos. 14 
to 16, Political Department. 

Read— the following paper :—- 

No. 14. From J. MUNRO, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Gochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated N agar coil, 
4th March 1818. 

In the letter which I had the honour of addressing to you on the 19th April 
last, I took the liberty to suggest the expediency of placing upon an improved 
establishment the small corps of'Nayar Infantry at present maintained in Travan¬ 
core, and Her Highness the Rannee has frequently inquired from me whether the 
authority of the Government for the execution of' that arrangement had arrived. 
I have in general replied that the highly important objects, which had for some 
time engaged the attention of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, neces¬ 
sarily occasioned some delay in considering the proposition which I had submitted 
to the Government for the augmentation of Her Highness’ troops, but I should again 
embrace an opportunity of mentioning it. In doing this I beg leave to express an 
opinion that the proposed increase of the Nayar troops will be attended with several 
advantages to the common interests of both the States, and a hope that the execu¬ 
tion of that measure may receive the sanction of the Government. The finances of 
Travancore are in a most prosperous state: the maintenance of an augmented body 
of Nayar troops will unite more closely the Rajah with the' people and provide for 
the relief of the Company’s troops from several detached duties* and likewise for 
the maintenance of internal peace in Travancore during the eventual absence of 
the greatest part or the. whole- of the subsidiary force. Her Highness the 
Rannee is desirous at present of augmenting her establishment of Nayar Infantry 
to one regiment of two battalions, one of which would accompany her in her- 
journeys, while the other should be- employed upon the usual duties at Trivandrum 
and the other fixed posts. 




No. 15. 


# * * * 

No. 16. The Resident, Travancore and Cochin, having obtained leave of absence 
from his station, the Board postpone for the present the consideration of the fore¬ 
going letters. 


(3)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 14 th April 1819, Nos. 11 to 14, 

Political Department. 

No. 11. From ROBERT GORDON, Esq., Acting Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated Quilon, 29th March 1819. 

I have the honour to forward, by the particular request of Her Highness the 
Rannee, the accompanying letter to the Right Honourable the Governor in Council 
on the subject of the services of Captain Alexander MacLeod in Travancore. 


Translation. 

No. 12. From RANNEE PARBUTTY BAEE, dated 27th March 1819. 

English chiefs are endowed with wisdom and qualifications of every sort and are gifted with' 
good nature and sincerity. Captain MacLeod, who is distinguished by his gratitude and good 
wishes, and to whom the office of Killadar has been confided, has, with great cheerfulness and 
prudence, exerted himself in keeping the fort in order, disciplining the troops, &c. He has 
conducted himself entirely to my satisfaction, and the servants under him are contented and 
zealous in the discharge of their duties ; considering it, therefore, highly expedient to retain him, 
in the office entrusted to him, I addressed a letter to you on this subject a year ago : you have 
perhaps received it. As the reciprocal intimation of our wishes is natural result of friendship, X, 
have again considered it proper to make known to you my desire. 

What more ? 

(A true Translation.) 

(Signed) W. OLIVER, 

Persian Translator . 


No. 13. Ordered, in consequence,, that the following letter be despatched to the 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 


No. 14. From the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, to Major 
S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. 
George, 14th April 1819. 

I am directed to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter from the Acting 
Resident, dated the 29th ultimo, and to state that the Right Honourable the Gov¬ 
ernor in Council will postpone the communication of his sentiments on the appli¬ 
cation which it contains from Her Highness the Rannee until you shall have 
reported on the subject after your arrival in Travancore. 


(4)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 14th April 1819, ..Nos. 15 to 18, 

Political Department. 

No. 15. From Major S'. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government,. Fort St... George, dated Madras, 
3rd April 1819. 

In transmitting the accompanying letter from the Acting Resident in Travan¬ 
core stating the request of the Rannee to be aided with British officers to serve with 
Her Highness’ troops, I take leave to recommend the application to the favourable 
aonsideration of Government,. 






4 


2. The regular infantry of Travancore consists at present two battalions of 
Nayars, who are clothed and disciplined in an imperfect degree after the model of 
the Company’s army, and to those two battalions there is at present only one 
officer, viz., Captain MacLeod of the 9th Regiment N.I., of this establishment. 

3. To render these two battalions efficient for any purpose in Travancore, I 
am of opinion that one officer with each corps to command it is indispensable, and 
that if officers can be spared a subaltern officer to each as an adjutant would be of 
great value and importance. 

4. If, at this moment, it should prove inconvenient to supply the whole number 
of officers that I have ventured to recommend being ultimately attached to the 
Rannee’s battalions, the supply may be limited to one officer qualified to command. 
And I beg respectfully to suggest that at the present time an officer on the half 
pay of His Majesty’s service competent to the charge may probably be found 
desirous of employ in India. 


From ROBERT GORDON, Esq., Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Q-uilon, 21st March 1819. 

Her Highness the Rannee has on many late occasions expressed her earnest wish that the 
Government of Fort St. George would appoint such an addition of European officers to Her 
military establishment as would render it efficient for the purpose of police. 

And Her Highness again begs me to submit this subject to the favourable consideration of 
'Government as of the utmost importance to the tranquillity of Travancore. 


No. 16. Ordered, in consequence, that the following letters be despatched. 


No. 17. From GEORGE STRACHEY, Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, to 
Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 
Fort St. George, 14th April 1819. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant. 

2. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council apprehends that the number 
of officers required to serve with the battalion of the Rajah of Travancore cannot 
be conveniently spared from the regular establishment of this Presidency, but the 
question will be submitted for the more mature consideration of the Commander- 
in-Chief. In the meantime the Governor in Council, availing himself of your 
suggestions, has determined that Captain Gray, late of His Majesty’s 30th 
Regiment and now on the half-pay list, shall be permitted to place himself at your 
-disposal with a view to his appointment to the command of one of those battalions, 
a charge which, it is understood, that officer is willing to undertake. This resolu 5 
tion will be communicated to Captain Gray by the Commander-in-Chief, and the 
Supreme Government will be requested to obtain the consent of the Commander- 
in-Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in India to the continuance of the arrangement. 

3. You will report, for the consideration of the Governor in Council, the manner 
in which it may be proposed by the Government of Travancore to remunerate the 
services of Captain Gray. The orders of the Government regarding the continu¬ 
ance of Captain MacLeod in his present employment in Travancore will hereafter 
be communicated to you. 


No. 18. From the Chief Secretary to Government, to His Excellency Lieutenant- 
General Sir THOMAS HISLOP* Bart., g.c.b., Commander-in-Chief, 
dated Fort St. George, 14th April 1819. 

I am directed to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter from the 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated the 3rd instant. The Right Honourable 






5 


the Governor in Council apprehends that the number of officers required to serve 
with the battalions of the Rajah of Travancore cannot be conveniently spared 
from the regular establishment of this presidency, but I am directed to submit 
the question tor your Excellency’s more mature consideration. 


(5) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 22 nd May 1819, Nos. 1 to 3, 

Political Department. 

No. 1 . Read —the following extracts from the Minutes of Consultation of the 

Military Department, dated 8th May J819. 


From Captain J. T. WOOD, Military Secretary to His Excellency the 
Commander-in-Chief, to EDWARD WOOD, Esq., Secretary to Govern¬ 
ment, dated Fort St. George, 30th April 1819. 

I have been directed by the Commander-in-Chief to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter to His Excellency’s address of the 14th instant, with its accompany¬ 
ing copy of one from the Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 

In reply to the reference made by the letter acknowledged, I have been 
instructed to request that you will state to the Right Honourable the Governor in 
Council His Excellency’s opinion that at the present moment it is utterly impossible 
to spare thu officers requested for the service of Her Highness the Rannee of 
Travancore. 


Ordered that copy of the foregoing letter be furnished to the Political Depart¬ 
ment. 


No. 2. Ordered, in consequence, that the foregoing letter be despatched to the 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 


No. 3. From the Chief Secretary to Government, to Major S. McDOUALL, 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 22nd 
May 1819. 

With reference to my letter of the 14th ultimo, I am directed by the Right 
Honourable the Governor in Council to transmit to you for your information and 
guidance the enclosed copy of one from the Commander-in-Chief’s Military Sec¬ 
retary under date the 30th ultimo. 


(6)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 23 rd August 1819, Nos. 2 to 6, 

Political Department. 

No. 2. From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, dated Quilon, 31st July 1819. 

In obedience to the instructions conveyed in your letter of the 14th April 
last, I have now the honour to report on the application from the Rannee of 
Travancore relative to Major MacLeod. 

2. That officer was appointed at the recommendation of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Munro to the command of Her Highness’ troops, and at that time it was probably* 
necessary to establish an influence in the palace which appears to have been 
sanctioned by the late Resident and exercised by Major MacLeod ever since, and I 
have no doubt with fidelity. But such an influence, when necessary, should be in the 
hands of the Resident alone; and as it cannot otherwise be withdrawn, I judge it 
expedient that Major MacLeod should not continue longer with the Rannee’s troops. 

3. Her Highness at a private audience said that the letter now under obser¬ 
vation was written of her own accord, but this adoption of it I apprehend to 

2 








6 


have arisen out of irritation at two letters on the same subject remaining un¬ 
answered, and 1 am persuaded that the letter was written entirely at the sugges¬ 
tion of those persons about Her Highness who wished for the continuance of Major 
MacLeod in his present employ as a means of retaining their own. 


No. 3. Ordered, in consequence, that the following letters be despatched. 


No. 4. From the Chief Secretary to Government, to Major S. McDOUALL, 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 23rd 
August 1819. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo and 
to acquaint you that the Right Honourable the Governor in Council concurs with 
you iu opinion on the expediency of removing .Major MacLeod from the command 
of the troops of Her Highness the Rannee of Travancore. His Excellency the 
Commander-in-Chief will accordingly be requested to direct that officer to join his 
corps. 

You will inform Major MacLeod that this measure has not been occasioned 
by any misconduct on his part, but has been adopted on general principles. His 
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief will receive a similar explanation. 


No. 5. * * * * 

'\ - 

No. 6. From His Excellency the Right Honourable H. ELLTOT, Governor of 
Madras, to Her Highness the Rannee of Travancore, dated Fort St. 
George, 28rd August 1819. 

I have received your Highness’ letter of the 27th of March last, and regret 
that I cannot comply with your request that Major MacLeod may continue in the 
command of your Highness’ troops, as the services of that officer are required 
by the British Government. 


(7)— Extract from, the Minutes of Consultation , dated 8th October 1819, Nos. 1 to 3, 

Political Department. 

No. 1. From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 
22nd September 1819. 

Of late the southern part of Travancore nearest to the lines at Aramboly has 
been infested by banditti from the Tinnevelly province, who have plundered houses 
and committed wanton cruelties on the inhabitants. 

2. The present defenceless state of the inhabitants afforded a strong temp¬ 
tation in the prospect of impunity, and in consequence I have been under the 
necessity of employing a small detachment of British troops under the command 
of Lieutenant Dalzell of the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment N.I. 

3. The conduct of that officer has been active and greatly to my satisfaction : 
a few of the plunderers have been taken and will be immediately tried by the Zillah 
Court of Nagarcoil, and Lieutenant Dalzell having scoured the hills and stationed 
small parties of the Travancore sepoys so as to form a chain of posts for the safety 
of the country, I hope that tranquillity will be maintained in that quarter. 

4. The disputed boundaries afford at times the means of escape to criminals, 
and the inhabitants of Travancore being without arms, and living chiefly in hamlets 
or in detached houses in their plantations, are greatly exposed to the attack^ of 
banditti from the fastnesses of the border mountains, 









7 


5. The defenceless state of the inhabitants required some local troops, and r 
accordingly a corps of Nayars was formed in two battalions, amounting to 2,100 
rank and file, and disciplined in the manner of the Company’s troops. Of these 
a considerable number are required for purposes of State—the duties of the 
palace and the capital. But the want of arms and ammunition renders them quite 
inefficient against banditti, and therefore for the present I have been obliged to ; 
authorize the employment of small parties of the Company’s sepoys with the Nayars 
upon the chain of posts before mentioned. 

6. The party under Lieutenant Dalzell has amounted to 50 rank and file of 
British and 100 rank and file of Travancore troops, and by a judicious use of such 
small means and by active movements he has in a few days cleared a range of 
about 50 miles and returned the troops to their stations. 


No. 2. From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 
28th September 1819. 

Conformably to the instructions conveyed in your letter of the 23rd ultimo, I 
communicated to Majcr MacLeod that his further continuance with the troops of 
Her Highness the Rannee of Travancore was not deemed expedient; that this 
resolution of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council had not been occa¬ 
sioned by any misconduct on his part, but was adopted on general principles; and 
that His Excellency the Comrnander-in-Chief would receive a similar communi¬ 
cation. 

2. I have further the honour to report that the letter from the Right Honour¬ 
able the Governor, addressed to the Rannee of Travancore, conveyed to me likewise 
under date 23rd ultimo, was duly transmitted to Her Highness. 

3. In consequence of these communications, Major MacLeod resigned his 
charge of the Travancore troops on the 14th instant, and the command has 
devolved on Captain Gray as senior officer. 


No. 3. From the Chief Secretary to Government, to Major S. McDOUALL,, 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 8th 
October 1819. 

I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknow¬ 
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo and to acquaint you that the 
measures which you adopted for dispersing the banditti which infested the southern 
part of Travancore are considered to have been proper under the circumstances 
which you have stated. 

The Governor in Council desires that you will concert measures with the 
Magistrate of Tinnevelly for preventing future incursions of banditti into Travan¬ 
core. He has been furnished with a copy of this letter and has been desired to 
communicate to you all the information which he may obtain by depositions when 
before him or by other means regarding the persons concerned in the late inroad. 

Copy to Magistrate of Tinnevelly. 


(8)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 8th October 1819, Nos. 5 and 6, 

Political Department. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 5. From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Secret Department, dated Quilon, 
23rd September 1819. 

Having been repeatedly requested by the Dewan of Travancore to make 
known the wants and wishes of Her Highness the Rannee in regard to the 





8 


maintenance of that degree of splendour and parade suitable to the dignity of the 
princes of the country, I will connect this subject with an application for the means 
to secure the inhabitants in some places against banditti and in others against the 
devastation of wild beasts. 

This country having been disarmed after the war of 1809, the manufacture 
and possession by individuals of arms and ammunition were strictly prohibited 
and enforced, with the exception of a few unserviceable muskets left in possession 
of the palace guards. These are now reduced in number to 846 and retain 
scarcely a semblance of their former state. 

The men employed as guards against banditti and smugglers are insulted 
and driven from their posts, and those over convicts frequently are overpowered 
by the prisoners who thus escape. 

The inhabitants, having neither arms nor ammunition, were driven from 
some of the most fertile ghauts in Travancore and chasseurs were employed a 
few years ago to defend them; these from the same causes have become inefficient 
and the elephants now extend their ravages to the plains. A considerable quantity 
of gunpowder is required for religious ceremonies and rejoicings in fireworks, &c., 
which is prepared in this country. 

I take the liberty now to state my opinion of the propriety and the means 
of gratifying the Court and rendering the local corps of Nayars efficient for the 
purposes of their establishment without risk of evil consequences and with advant¬ 
age to the Company. 

A supply of 2,100 repaired muskets and bayonets corresponding to the present 
strength of the Nayar battalions, a brigade of brass 6-pounder guns for firing salutes 
and a supply of gunpowder in barrels might be granted to the Travancore Govern¬ 
ment (upon an indent to be signed by the Resident) paying for the same. 

By affording supplies in this way, their extent can be limited as may be 
judged expedient, the manufacture of arms and ammunition in Travancore will 
speedily fall into disuse, and a market will be opened for the safe disposal of 
those articles surplus to the wants of the British Government, which will thus be 
reimbursed a part of the expenses incurred in maintaining the gunpowder manu¬ 
factory and the store department of this presidency in a state of active efficiency. 

If the proposal is approved, an early and most seasonable supply might possibly 
be afforded from the arms returned into store at this place from the corps com¬ 
posing the subs diary force. 


No. 6. Ordered that an extract from the foregoing letter be transmitted from 
the Military Department to the Military Board, and that they be desired to take 
measures for supplying the Resident in Travancore with the number of guns and 
muskets therein mentioned. 

Ordered also that the Resident be desired to state the quantity of gunpowder 
required for the use of the Government of Travancore. 


(9)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 18th October 1819, Nos. 9 and 

10, Political Department. 

No. 9. From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 
7th October 1819. 

***** 

2. I take the liberty of noticing at the same time that the departure of Major 
MacLeod leaves the command of two battalions of Nayar sepoys to one officer, 
occasioning thereby considerable difficulty. Major MacLeod’s services being made 
again available with the Company’s troops, it is possible that one officer of the 



9 


rank of Captain in the Company’s service may be spared in his place to command 
one of the Nayar battalions in the service of this state, as desired by Her Highness 
the Rannee and by the Dewan. I hope, therefore, I shall be excused for soliciting 
the exchange of an officer, although some time since it was found inconvenient to 
detach additional officers from the regular service of the Company. 


No 10. From tbe Chief Secretary to Government, to Major S. McDOUALL, 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 18th 
October 1819. 

***** 

I am further desired to state that a British officer cannot at present be spared 
from the service of the Honourable Company for the purpose of commanding one 
of the Nayar battalions of Travancore. 


Extract from a Memorandum No. 1 by Lieutenant SHERIDAN of the Nayar Brigade, 

dated 12 th February 1829. 

t 

“ It only remains now to trace tbe progress of tbe Ranee’s troops to that 
state of discipline wbicb their arduous duties will allow of. 

“ After tbe suppression of Yeloo Tampy’s riot in the year 1809 corresponding 
with tbe Malabar year 985, tbe whole of tbe Rajah’s troops were disbanded, 
except the first Nayar Battalion, and only a few companies of that battalion were 
kept at head-quarters as a guard for the Rajah. Up to the year 1815 the military 
was commanded by Mahasingh. Major McLeod, then Captain in the 9th Native 
Infantry, took the command of Her Highness’ troops in the year 1816—993 
Malabar. Colonel Munro, by desire of the Ranee, applied to the Right Honourable 
Mr. Elliot for another corps to be raised. Leave w r as granted, and in 1817—994 
M.E.,—the 2nd corps was completed. Colonel Munro had no intention to make 
the military do any duty from the head-quarters, but to keep them there that the 
young Rajah might have a small Body Guard to attend him when he came of age.” 


3 





10 


II.—SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN THE STRENGTH OF THE BRIGADE 

AND ITS OFFICERS. 


Memorandum No. 2 by Lieutenant SHERIDAN, dated 12th February 1829. 
In the month of March 1S21 when the establishment of the brigade was— 


NO. 

Subadars ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 

Jemadars ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 

Havildars ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 

Naigues ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 

Drummers and lifers ... ... ... ... ... ... 44 

Privates ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,000 


Total ... 2,284 


wlien the following letter was received from Colonel Newall, then Resident, which 
stopped all further recruiting in it :— 

From Colonel D. NEWALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to Captain GRAY, Com¬ 
manding the Troops of Her Highness the Ranee of Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 
16th March 1821. 

I have the honour to request that there may not be any more recruits entertained for the 
Nayar Battalions under your command until further orders. 

About the middle of December 1824, a letter was received from Vencata Row, 
the late Dewan of Travancore, advising the Commanding Officer Captain Gray of 
the intention of Government to raise men and relieve the military sepoys from the 
civil duties they had hitherto performed, and raise, in lieu of the men then wanting 
to complete the military establishment, Naigues and peons for the civil duties of 
the districts and tannahs, a true translation of which is here subjoined, but as 
some misrepresentations of the reduction of the military establishment is therein 
mentioned, the defect is supplied in the margin from the brigade documents of 
the period :— 

Translation of a Malabar letter, signed by VENCATA ROW, the late Devon of Travancore, to 
the address of Captain GRAY, Commanding the Nayar Brigade, dated Qui/on, the 29 th 
Kartigai 1000 (. December 1824). 

Having struck off the Tannah Naigues and peons who were stationed in tbe several 
districts in charge of the Police department, and sent Non-commissioned officers and sepoys 
from the brigade to 17 of them, and they having to perform both the duties connected with 
the brigade and that of the police, and being in consequence thereof placed under European 
officers and the Huzur, the business of the Police has been in consequence somewhat neglected. 

On enquiry I find that there are 484 men of all ranks wanting to complete the establishment 

of the brigade, and believe if these 
men are struck off the strength of the 
brigade, their pay will suffice for the 
Tannah peons to be employed and sent 
to the districts; and the men now on 
duty in those districts to be relieved, 
and ordered to join the brigade, thus 
the duties of both the civil and military 
will be discharged without any impedi¬ 
ment, and the expense and pay will not 
exceed the amount now fixed. The 
casualties that have occurred in the 
brigade during the year 999 (from 
August 1823 to August 1824) being 


Wanting to complete on the 1st November 1824. 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars 

Havildars. 

1 

Naigues. 

Drummers and 
fifers. 

W 

<D 

"3 

£ 

Total. 

1st Battalion. 

1 

1 

1 

6 

2 

237 

248 

2nd do. 

1 

0 

5 

4 

0 

252 

262 

Total 

2 

1 

6 

10 

2 

489 

510 


































11 


altogether 78 and their pay amounting to Rs. 390 per mensem, I have proposed to the 

Resident to appoint one Tannah Naigue 
and 8 peons at a salary of Rs. 8 per Naigue 
and Rs. 5 per peon to 8 of the 17 districts, 
in which the men of the brigade are at 
present stationed (leaving the other districts 
as they are until further arrangements are 
made), which will amount to Rs. 384 out 
of 390 above mentioned as saved by the 
aforesaid casualties, and he having approved 
of the same, I submitted the plan to Her 
Highness the Ranee, requesting at the same 
time Her Highness’ sanction to the appoint¬ 
ing of the above 8 Tannah Naigues and 64 
peons to the following districts, viz., Nedumangad, Karunagappally, Mavalikaray, Shengan- 
noor, Chunganacherry, Kottayam, and Koonnathunad, and deduct the amount, viz., Rs. 384 per 
mensem (at the rate above named), from the fixed amount of pay to the brigade, and transfer the 
same to the Tannah department, and I have received Her Highness’ Neet, dated the 12th of 
Thulam, authorizing me to adopt the measures above recommended, and I have accordingly 
given orders to the janiabandy to that effect, and request you will order the sum of Rs. 384 
per mensem to be deducted from the fixed amount of the pay of the brigade. 

(Signed) YENCATA ROW. 

Thus it appears evident from the foregoing letter, that it was the intention of 
Government to relieve the military from the performance of all civil duties, and 
reduce the establishment from 2,000 to 1,300 men, which is further corroboraled 
by the following letter received from Colonel Newall, when the casualties made 
the brigade below the last-mentioned number :— 

From Colonel D. NEWALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to Captain GRAY, 
Commanding Nayar Brigade, Trivandrum, dated Kottagiri, 22nd April 1826. 

I have the honour to request you will recruit the Nayar Brigade up to 75 sepoys per com¬ 
pany, which, in future, is to be ccnsidered the establishment; you are also authorized to promote 
to complete the Commissioned, Non-commissioned officers and Naigues to the old establishment; 
you will likewise complete the drummers and fifers up to the old establishment. 

On the receipt of the Ilewan’s letter in 1824, the present state stood as 
follows as per Return A Nos. 1 and 2 :— 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Naigues. 

Drummers 
and fifers. 

Privates. 

Total. 

Ou command ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 

5 

7 

46 

47 

4 

737 

846 

On guard 

4 

3 

20 

29 

9 

433 

498 

Total on duty 

9 

10 

66 

76 

13 

1,170 

1,344 

Establishment 

20 

20 

100 

100 

44 

1,500 

1,784 

Remaining 

11 

10 

34 

24 

31 

330 

440 


The real casualties as per retnrns were 79. 

Heal saving to Government in Novemoer 1824 by the 
casualties that had taken place in the N ayar Brigade— 

RS. 


2 Subadars at Rs. 20 per mensem ... 

40 

1 Jemadar at „ 

10 


... 

10 

6 Havildars at „ 

7 

» 


42 

10 Naigues at „ 

6 

ft 

... 

60 

1 Drummer at „ 

5H 

if 

... 

fUA 

u 28 

1 Fifer at ,, 

5 

IS 


5 

489 Sepoys at „ 

5 

» 

Total . 

2,445 

.. 2,607If 


On receipt of Colonel Newall’s letter in 1826, the present state of the brigade 
was as follows :—■ 


— 

00 

c3 

•73 

J 

a 

Tfl 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

00 

0 

3 

# bp 

& 

Drummers 
and fifers. 

Privates. 

Total. 

On command ... 

4 

7 

39 

35 

4 

584 

672 

On guard 

4 

3 

20 

29 

9 

430 

495 

Total on duty 

8 

10 

59 

64 

13 

1.014 

1,167 

Establishment 

20 

20 

100 

100 

44 

1,500 

1,784 

Remaining 

12 

10 

41 

36 

31 

486 

617 


N jj' _Neither sick nor absentees are mentioned here, as it would swell out the matter. 


> 







































12 


In December 1830, a further reduction of the brigade took place from 1,500 
sepoys to 1,400, when it then stood as follows as per Keturns B Nos. 1 and 2 : — 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

CO 

1 

£ 

Drummers 

and fliers 

Privates. 

Total. 

On command ... ... ... ... ... 

4 

6 

28 

28 


394 

460 

On guard 

4 

4 

19 

32 

10 

400 

469 

Total on duty 

8 

10 

47 

60 

10 

794 

929 

Establishment 

20 

20 

100 

100 

44 

1,400 

1,684 

Remaining 

12 

10 

53 

40 

34 

606 

755 


It was understood tbat, on account of the. above-mentioned decrease of 100 
men, the Mathelagam and other guards where the men did not perform military 
duties should be taken by persons in the Civil service, and a company of old 
men were struck off the strength of the brigade, and enrolled in it. It is from 
this period that the increase of commands and guards began, and as the increase 
went on, the duty became harder on the soldier, inasmuch that where formerly 
four men were furnished for one sentry, these have been substituted both at head¬ 
quarters and on command, and when the following present states of guards and 
commands as they are and required to be are compared, the affirmation will be 
apparent:— 


State of the Brigade as it now is in 1835 as per Returns C JVos. 1 and 2. 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Raigues. 

Drummers 
and lifers. 

Privates. 

Total. 

On command ... 

5 

5 

28 

34 

2 

471 

545 

On guard ... 

2 

3 

17 

29 

11 

396 

458 

Total on duty 

7 

8 

45 

63 

13 

867 

1,003 

Establishment 

20 

20 

100 

100 

44 

1,400 

1,684 

Remaining 

13 

12 

55 

37 

31 

533 

681 

. 


State of the Brigade as it ought to he. 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Raigues. 

Drummers 
and lifers. 

Privates. 

Total. 

On command 

6 

7 

37 

42 

2 

547 

641 

On guard 

3 

3 

25 

34 

10 

492 

567 

Total on duty 

9 

10 

62 

76 

12 

1,039 

1,208 

Establishment 

20 

20 

100 

100 

44 

1,400 

1,684 

Remaining 

11 

10 

38 

24 

32 

361 

476 


By this last state it is shown that, if the guards and commands were furnished 
up to their full and proper complements, there would not remain much more than 
half a relief, after deducting the Drill Instructors, recruits, sick and absentees. 

Most of the small detachments now furnished by the brigade are sent to 
prevent smuggling, and in the performance of which duty they often clash with 
the Civil authorities and levy contributions from merchants and travellers passing 
their posts, which lead to breaches of military discipline ; to obviate this it would 
be desirable for the (Mailshothenna sepoys) preventative service peons, to do this 
duty, and the military sepoys withdrawn to a central situation, from whence a 
party might be sent to any one point, where they might be required, and thus the 

































































13 


Military service would become more efficient and beneficial to Government; and 
not only this, all the treasure boxes both of customs and revenue are brought in 
from the different Tahsildarships under the charge of Tannah peons, which shows 
they can guard the money on a long journey and consequently they should be able 
to perform the same duty in their own Tannah. 

It would further be advantageous to all parties if the money collected at the 
custom chowkeys was lodged every evening at the nearest Tahsildar’s cutcherry, 
so that one strong guard would suffice instead of ten to fifteen small ones; but in 
cases where the Tahsildar’s cutcherry is too far away, the money might be lodged 
in the nearest safety guard. 

The Brigade is often called upon to perform contingent duties, exclusive of 
that mentioned in the command and guard returns, such as the kist, and various 
other guards and parties, and the averaged amount may be rated at 1 Jemadar, 
2 Havildars, 3 Naigues, and 30 privates per mensem, and the men are taken 
from their several posts on command and sent to guard treasure boxes and pri¬ 
soners, as also to furnish guards fur the performance of military duty at pagodas on 
religious festivals, thus rendering the post they quit inefficient in men to perform 
any duties required. 

There is another evil under which the Brigade at present labours, and which 
is, that it is liable to be called away from military duties, and perform fatigue work 
that should be done by the Nayars of the different Adigarams, such as cleaning 
bathing tanks, cutting up vegetables, decorating the pagoda, and distributing conjee 
on festivals, all of which interferes with the drill, discipline, and military appearance 
of the brigade. 

With respect to the guards furnished by the Nayar Brigade, the real necessity 
of the placing a great number of the sentinels cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, 
as they are placed in situations where no European officer can go. 

The Havildar, Naigue, and 9 Sepoys now furnished to the pagoda should 
immediately be struck off, as there are a body of Nayars in Sircar pay who should 
perform all the duties in the pagoda ; these men go on duty without arms, accoutre¬ 
ments or clothing. 

The party of men furnished in addition to the Valiyathoray Granary guard 
should be withdrawn, as the duty which they perform in collecting boats for 
landing the Sircar grain ought to be done by peons or adigary Nayars. These 
men perform the duty in their native dress. 

The Rocket men, who are included in the guard report as a guard, are at 
present borne on the strength of the 1st Battalion, and consist of 1 Havildar, 1 
Naigue, and 12 Privates; their duties are wholly at the palace, and are never 
military, they are dressed and armed differently from the rest of the Brigade and 
should be placed on the palace establishment, and under the Kariakar from whom 
they receive all their orders, and struck off the military returns. 

The Kinden and Cumbly guard was mounted over cotton cloths collected for 
the Moorajapam, all of which have been disposed of, and the guard should imme¬ 
diately be withdrawn. 

The guard over the Appeal Court might be withdrawn, as they appear more 
for show at the doors of the Court than for use. Indeed the Court peons should 
guard the entrances and not military sepoys. 

The Ramanamadam guard was formerly furnished by that of the Mathilagom 
when the Brigade had it, but since the company of old men were struck off the 
strength and put under the Civil authority for that duty, this guard has been 
called for. The duty of this guard is to keep Brahmans who may he impure from 
entering the said place ; the Mathilagom cavilcars should do this duty. 


4 



14 


(1 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 16th June 1840, Nos. 15 to 17, 

Political Department , 


Read— the following letter :— 

No. 15. From Lieutenant-Colonel J. MACLEAN, Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Ootacamund, 
9th May 1840. 

I have the honour to bring to the notice of the Right Honourable the Governor 
in Council that, in consequence of representations from the Commercial Agent 
and the Superintendent of Police at Alleppie of the inadequacy of the detachment 
of the Nayar Brigade stationed at that place for the protection of the extensive 
and valuable property belonging to the Circar, as well as for the preservation of 
the public peace, I considered it proper, after due investigations on the spot, to 
recommend that an addition should be made to the said detachment, and this has 
been accordingly done. 

2. The occasion led me into more particular inquiries as to the general distri¬ 
bution of the Nayar Brigade, and I found that there are numerous details, as small 
guards for police and revenue duties stationed at such distances from the head¬ 
quarters of the corps as to be under no efficient control; this is greatly the case 
with respect to the detachment at Alleppie. 

3. I, therefore, consider the remedy to be that a European officer of the 
brigade should be stationed in the northern parts of Travancore to exercise a 
general command of the detachments there; but at present there is no one avail¬ 
able, as, even after Lieutenant Lockhart joins the brigade, there will be only three 
subordinate officers with the corps, two to exercise the duties of Adjutant with 
the battalions and the other has the charge of the Quartermaster’s department to 
the brigade. The services of another officer for the performance of the duties I 
have now proposed would therefore be necessary, and in reference to the con¬ 
cluding paragraph of the extract to my address in the Political Department of date 
the 17th March last, I take the liberty to request that the Right Honourable the 
Governor in Council may be pleased to nominate one. I respectfully beg to 
observe that, considering the duty on which it is to be intended to employ him, it 
would be desirable that an officer of experience be selected. 


No. 16. Ordered that the following minute be recorded :— 

Minute by the Right Honourable the Governor, dated Ootacamund, 16th June 
1840. 

The President proposes the following appointment:— 

Captain W. W. Ross of the 17th Regiment N.I. to be placed under the orders 
of the Resident of Travancore for employment in the Nayar Brigade. 

(Signed) ELPHINSTONE. 


No. 17. Resolved, as proposed in the foregoing minute, that Captain W. W. Ross 
of the 17th Regiment N.I. be placed under the orders of the Resident 
of Travancore for employment in the Nayar Brigade. 

Ordered that the foregoing resolution be communicated to the Military Depart¬ 
ment for the purpose of being notified in General Orders» 





15 


(2)— Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court ’of Directors , dated 1st 
September 1840, No. 5, Political Department. 

***** 

5. The Resident in Travaneore and Cochin having reported that the duties 
required of the Nayar Brigade rendered it necessary that an additional officer 
should be nominated to it, Captain W. W. Ross of the 17th Regiment N.I. has 
been placed under the orders of the Resident for employment in the brigade. 


(3)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 2?>rd November 1841, Nos. 17 

and 18, Political Department. 

Read— the following letter :— 

No. 17. From Colonel W. CULLEN, Resident in Travaneore and Cochin, to the 
Chief' Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Travaneore, 
4th November 1841, No. 36. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Extract from Minutes of 
Consultation in the Political Department, No. 408, of 19th October 1841, communi¬ 
cating extracts from a despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors to the 
Governor-General of India in Council, also Extract from Minutes of Consultation, 
No. 3639 of 21st September 1841, the whole on the subject of discontinuing, as far 
as practicable, the connection of the British Government with the religious cere¬ 
monies of the natives, and desiring that the purport of those papers should be 
communicated to the Native Princes under the Presidency. 

It is with much gratification I have the honour to state, for the information of 
the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, that His Highness the Rajah of 
Travaneore had some time previous to my receipt of these despatches already volun¬ 
tarily absolved the European officers of theNair Brigade from the attendance at any 
such ceremonies in future. 

The moment it was intimated to His Highness that such a measure was con¬ 
templated in the Company’s country, he at once signified his wish that the European 
officers in his service should be placed on exactly the same footing as elsewhere, 
and their attendance was accordingly dispensed with at the late great festival of 
4 Aurant,’ where idols are carried in procession. 


p8. Order thereon, 22nd November 1841, No. 18. 

Ordered that the foregoing letter be brought to the notice of the Honourable 
the Court of Directors with reference to Extract from Minutes of Consultation in 
this department, dated 19fh ultimo. No. 408. 


From Captain H. W. DALY in charge Nayar Brigade, to Major-General W. 
CULLEN, dated Trivandrum, 7th March 1842, No. 5. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. dated 
Cochin 21st February 1842, calling for information regarding the Nayar Briagde 





16 


required by the Government of India, and herewith to forward that information in 
the form prescribed, as far as the records of the brigade enable me to do so :—- 


IIis Highness the' Raj ah'of Travamore's Nayar Brigade. 


Rank and name. 

Total amount received 
from the Company and 
the Rajah including 
all allowances. 

Rank and corps in the 
Honourable Company’s 
army. 

Remarks. 


RS. A. P. 



Major R. N. Campbell 

1,371 12 0 

Major, 4th Regiment 
M.N. I. 

Commanding the brigade. 

Captain H. W. Daly ... 

445 6 0 

Local 

In charge of, and Acting 
Adjutant to, 2nd Battalion. 

Captain W. E. Lockhart 

506 4 0 

Lieutenant and Brevet 
Captain, 45th Regiment 
M.N I. 

In charge of, and Actiug 
Adjutant to, 1st Battalion. 

Lientenant D. D. Staig ... 

386 10 0 

Local 

Quartermaster to the 

brigade and in charge of 
Artillery. 


N.B. —An offioer of the Company’s service—Captain Ross, 18th Regiment M.N.I. — was appointed to the Nayar 
Brigade in 1840 for the purpose of commanding the several detachments of the brigade stationed at, and to the north 
of Quilon, but more especially with a view to the large commercial depot of Alleppie, with exactly similar allowances as 
a Captain in obarge of a battalion and acting as Adjutant. Captain Ross has recently proceeded to Europe, but it is 
understood that application has been made to the Madras Government for an officer to succeed Captain Ross. 

Medical aid is afforded to tbe brigade by J. Eaton, Esq., M.D., of the Honourabl Company’s service holding the 
appointment of His Highness the Rajah’s Physician. 

2. Explanation of the above items of pay :— 

The officers are paid in Travancore coin, viz., chuckrams, at tbe fixed rate of 
28| ffiiuckrums per Company’s rupee. The market average of bills of exchange on 
the presidencies being about the same. 

Of the above-mentioned amounts the subsistence of the officers belonging to 
the Honourable Company’s army is all they receive from the Company and the 
remainder is paid by the Rajah as a consolidated allowance. 

3. Whether the brigade, originally raised in 1819, was constituted by treaty 
or otherwise and with what object, cannot be ascertained by any records in the 
Dewan’s Cutcherxy, or in the office of the Officer Commanding the Brigade, but 
the brigade appears then to have been employed nearly as at present, namely, at 
and about Trivandrum, as the personal guards of His Highness the Rajah and 
family, over the fort and pagoda, on detachment to protect the inhabitants, Tah- 
sildars, treasuries, public buildings, and district depots of grain, tobacco, &c,, to 
escort treasure, as guards over jails and over convict working parties and pre¬ 
vious to the 16th March 1821, when the strength of each battalion was decreased 
from 1,000 sepoys to 750 as Police in the several taluks. Guards over the 
pagodas and over convict working parties are not now furnished from the 
brigade. 

4. The brigade, as originally constituted (in 1819), was as below specified :— 

1 Captain Commanding, 2 Lieutenants and Adjutants, 1 Lieutenant and 1 

Quartermaster. 

Artillery —1 Jemadar, 2 tdavildars, 2 Naigues and 25 Golundazees. 

Infantry —2 Battalions each consisting of 1 Subadar Adjutant, 9 Subadars, 
10 Jemadars, 50 Havildars, 1 Drum or Fife Major, 22 Drummers and Fifers, 1 
Puckally, 50 Naigues and 1,000 Sepoys. 

1 Native Malayalara Interpreter, 1 Native Paymaster, 2 Head Accountants, 
20 Native Accountants or Writers (one being attached to each Company of In¬ 
fantry), 1 Store Superintendent, 1 Store Accountant, 1 Maistry tailor, 2 tailors, 

2 smiths, 2 hammermen, 2 bellows-boys, and 2 Malabar Doctors attached to the 
brigade. 

5. It now stands as follows :— 

The Artillery consists of 1 Jemadar, 2 Havildars, 2 Naigues and 25 
Golundazees. 









17 


* 


The Infantry comprises two battalions, each battalion consists of 1 Subadar- 
Major, 9 Subadars, 1 Jemadar or Native Adjutant, 9 Jemadars, 1 Havildar-Major, 
1 Drill Havildar, 48 Havildars, 1 Drum or Fife Major, 11 Drummers, 11 Filers and 
Buglers, 1 Puckally, 1 Drid Naigue, 49 Naigues and 700 Sepoys. 

1 Drill Sergeant and. Sergeant-Major (a private of Her Majesty’s 57th Regi¬ 
ment of Foot, whose services have been lent to the Travancore State since the 
18th January 1839). 

1 Quartermaster-Sergeant (son of a Sergeant of Her Majesty’s 12th Regi¬ 
ment of Foot taken from the Madras Male Asylum as an. apprentice by Captain Gray 
and appointed in June 1827, at the age of twenty years, Quartermaster-Sergeant 
to the brigade). 

1 Native Malayalam Interpreter and English writer, 1 English writer, 1 Mala- 
yalam writer, 1 Native paymaster, 2 Head Accountants, 20 Accountants or 
Native writers, (one being attached to each Company of Infantry) 1 Store Superin¬ 
tendent and Accountant, 1 Maistry Tailor, 1 Maistry Smith, 1 Smith, 1 Hammer¬ 
man, 1 Bellows-boy, 1 Chickildar, 2 Native Dressers, 1 Toty, and a band consisting 
of 1 Bandmaster, 1 Havildar, 1 Naigue and 21 Musicians are attached to the 
brigade, but no regimental bazaars. 


The pay of each class of the above, converted into Company’s rupees 
allows :— 

Artillery. Company. 

ES. A. P. 

Jemadar 


... 


13 

12 

0 

Havildar 

M# 

• • • 

... 

7 

13 

9 

Naigue 

• . . 

. . . 

... 

6 

14 

0 

Golundazee ... 

... 

... 

... 

5 

6 

5 

Infantry. 

Subadar-Major 




27 

8 

1 

Subadar 


... 


17 

10 

11 

Jemadar or Native Adjutant 


... 


13 

12 

0 

Jemadar 


• • « 


8 

13 

5 

H avi 1 dar-Maj or 




8 

5 

8 

Drill Havildar ... 




8 

5 

8 

Havildar ... ..." ... 




6 

2 

3 

Drum or Fife Major 


... 


7 

0 

3 

Drummer 




4 

13 

6 

Fifer or Bugler 


... 


4 

6 

9 

Puckally 


... 


3 

8 

8 

Drill Naigue 


. . • 


6 

0 

3 

Naigue 




5 

4 

6 

Sepoy 

Attached to the Brigade. 

• • • 

- 

4 

6 

9 

Drill Sergeant and Sergeant-Major 




83 

8 

1 

Quartermaster-Sergeant 


... 


08 

12 

4 

Malayalam Interpreter and English Writer 
English Writer ... ... ... >.. 




34 

6 

2 




20 

10 

1 

Malayalam Writer ... 


... 


7 

13 

9 

Native Paymaster ... 




19 

10 

4 

Head Accountant ... 




8 

13 

5 

Company Writer and Accountant 


. . . 


4 

14 

7 

Store Superintendent and Accountant 


• -i • 


14 

11 

9 

Maistry Tailor 


... 


14 

0 

7 

Maistry Smith ... 

• i • 



7 

0 

3 

Smith 




5 

7 

7 

Hammerman 

1 • • 



4 

1 

8 

Bellows-boy ... 




2 

11 

9 

Chickildar ... ... ... ... ,.. 




5 

6 

5 

Native Dresser 




20 

10 

1 

Toty . 


... 


3 

8 

2 

Bandmaster 




140 

5 

7 

Band Havildar 


. . • 


6 

2 

3 

Band Naigue ... ... ... 


... 


5 

4 

6 

Band Musician ... .., ,.. 




4 

13 

a 


5 























18 


Its Uniforms and Arms. 

6. Artillery. —Uniform blue, facings scarlet, lace gold. Arms—Two brass 
6-pounders and two brass 3-pounders, swords but no fuzils. 

Infantry. —Uniform scarlet, facings blue, lace gold. Arms, fuzils with, bayonets. 

7. It is distributed as follows :— 

8. The actual strength at head-quarters (viz., Trivandrum), is 1 Major Com¬ 
manding, 2 Captains in charge of, and Acting Adjutants to, Battalions of Infantry, 
1 Lieutenant Quartermaster to the Brigade and in charge of Artillery. 

Artillery. —1 Jemadar, 2 Havildars, 2 Naigues and 25 Golundazees. 

Infantry. —1 Subadar-Major, 13 Subadars, 2 Jemadars or Native Adjutants, 
15 Jemadars, 2 Havildars-Major, 2 Drill Havildars, 72 Havildars, 2 Drum or Fife- 
Majors, 42 Drummers, Filers and Buglers, 2 Puckallies, 2 Drill Naigues, 72 
Naigues and 1,047 Sepoys and 25 Golundazees. 

All attached to the brigade with the exception of 6 Company writers or 
accountants who are on command with their companies. 

9. Its actual strength in detachments at following out-posts is as below 
specified. Each of the Subadars form a distinct command, the head-quarters of 
each detachment being in the first station :— 


Infantry. 


/ 





CO 

U 

0 



-P 

P 

o 

o 



L 




iP 

02 



o 

0 


_ 





0 



r O 

Where sent and on what service. 


3 


• 

00 

CG 



0 



L 

0 

u 

0 

t-i 

0 

0 

0 

5 

oo 

0 

CD 

GO 



TJ 

H3 



a 

0 

>> 

0 CO 



rO 

0 

xn 

rO 

0 

xn 

a 

0 

P 

0 

0 

u 

Q 

0 

PH 

0 

xn 

& * 




r 



i 



- 

15 

1 

Cooryapnlly to protect the inhabitants and travellers. 







1 

6 


Coimbatore with tobacco collector. 






i 



7 


Unnamanada j 






i 


1 

6 

4 


Mooriengerrhy Zha | fco P rotect the inhabitants and travellers. 

0 





... 


1 

4 


Vuddoothala J 

0 

C 




... 

2 


2 

21 


Thodupuzha Cardamom Bankshall and Hill. 




r 


2 

2 

3 

45 

1 

Alloppey Commercial Department. 

ca 





1 


1 

12 


Perracat Tobacco Store. 

0 

Q 


• u 





i 

4 

3 

... 

Conneil ° 0r • ] Porest Department. 

pi 

u 





1 


l 

14 

i 

Quilon Tobacco Store. 

J3 







l 

6 

... 

Quilon Besidency. 

u 




1 



l 

6 


Quilon Jail. 

'A 




1 

1 



8 


Puthanapuram. 




u 




i 

6 


Mambulathora. 





1 



6 


Arienkavoo. 






1 


... 

8 


Shencottah. 






1 



6 


Uchenkovil. 



i 

i 




l 

3 


Punthalnm with a relation of the Bajah. 


i 

2 

2 

13 

2 

15 

193 

3 

Total, Northern Detachments. 



U 

1 

3 


2 

55 

1 

Pulpanabhapuram fort and palace. 

CD 


U 




1 

6 


Oodagherry to protect public property. 

P 


r 


1 


1 

12 

1 

Nagercoil over the iail and to protect the— 

s 

A 

O 


u 


1 


1 

1 

7 

14 


Cuddekerra 7 . , ... 

Poothapandy j “habitants. 





1 


1 

8 

... 

Aramboly to assist revenue peons and guard revenue 

n 









collected. 

2 

© 


r 

i 


1 

1 


i 

6 

18 

1 

Suchindram ] to P rotect the inhabitants. 

^P 




... 

i 

4 


Munacoody granary. 

o 

... 

u 

i 

... 

1 

... 

l 

12 

... 

Pinnaoolum to protect the inhabitants. 

U1 


... 

1 

... 

l 

12 

... 

Cottar Tobacco Store. 



t 


1 



6 


Cape Comorin to protect the inhabitants. 



3 

1 

11 


li 

160 

3 

Total, Southern Detachments. 


N.B .—All the above-named outposts, excepting one, -viz., Coimbatore, are within the Travancore Territory. 


























































19 


JO. The Artillery comprises two brass 6 and two brass 3-pounders. 

11. The Infantry of the Brigade is composed entirely of Nairs. 

The Artillery, one-half of Mussulmans and the other half of Carnatic 
Hindus. 

The recruiting system is to enlist such Mussalmen and Carnatic Hindus for 
the Artillery and such Nairs for the Infantry as voluntarily offer themselves; 
age, 18 to 22 years, standard height, 5 feet 6 inches. No gratuity is offered and 
volunteers are constantly qualifying for the ranks by attending drill for months 
before vacancies occur; they are recruited exclusively, from the immediate vicinity 
of Trivandrum, where they almost all possess small portions of land. 

12. The brigade is (with the exception of a Naigue’s guard at Coimbatore) 
entirely quartered among Travancoreans. 

13. And its services entirely restricted to Travancore. 

14. The brigade has never been called into the field, the services it has . 
rendered extraneous of the routine duties are as below stated :— 

(1) A detachment of 1 Lieutenant, 1 Subadar, 3 Havildars, 3 Naigues and 
50 Sepoys was employed from the 12th September 1819 to the 23rd January 1820 
in conjunction with the Company’s troops and under Lieutenant Halzell of the 
Company’s service in suppressing incursions of Morravar gang robbers into the 
Southern districts of Travancore from the Company’s territory. 

(2) A detachment of 1 Lieutenant, 1 Subadar, 1 Jemadar, 5 Havildars, 

10 Naigues and 150 8epoys was employed from the 22nd August 1820 to 3.1st 
March 1821 in conjunction with the Company’s troops and under Lieutenant 
Gordon of the Company’s army in preventing irruption into the Southern districts 
of Travancore of Morravar gang robbers from the Company’s territory. 

(3) A detachment of 1 Lieutenant, 1 Subadar, 2 Jemadars, 10 Havildars, 
10 Naigues and 150 Sepoys under the Dewan of Travancore was called out from 
the 10th January to 31st March 1829, in quelling disturbances occasioned by the 
Christian Shanars in the Southern districts of Travancore. 

(4) A detachment of 1 Subadar, 1 Jemadar, 4 Havildars, 4 Naigues and 63 
Sepoys was stationed at Alleppey from the 1st September to the 2yth October 1831 
in addition to the usual party of 1 Subadar, 1 Jemadar, 5 Havildars, 2 Drummers 
and Fifers, 5 Naigues and 66 Sepoys then doing duty at that station for the 
purpose of enforcing quarantine regulations in the event of any infected ship 
touching at the port. 

(5) A detachment of 1 Lieutenant, 2 Subadars, 2 Jemadars, 11 Havildars, 

4 Drummers and Fifers, 11 Naigues and 150 Sepoys was stationed at Alleppey 
from the 29th October 1834 to the 25th June 1835 m addition to the usual party 
of 1 Subadar, 1 Jemadar, 7 Havildars, 2 Drummers and Fifers, 8 Naigues and 97 
Sepoys attached to the commercial department in consequence of disturbances 
occasioned by the assassination of a wealthy and influential Mussalman merchant 
and not relieved until after the trial and execution of the murderer. 

N.B .— The Lieutenant quitted the detachment on the 14th December on sick certificate. 

15. The expenses of its maintenance are paid in the following manner:— 

By the Travancore State. 

Pay. —Monthly in the current coin of the country. Articles of clothing 
supplied—a jacket once in two years. A pair of woollen trowsers once in four 
years. A carpet once in five years. A cumbly cloak once in five years. A 
turband once in seven years. A sash once in ten years. And a knapsack once in 
ten year3. 

The 6 and 3 pounders belonging to the Artillery were bought from 
the Company. The fuzils and accoutrements were got from England. The 
ammunition for both arms is purchased from the Company on indent to the 
Government of Fort St. George and obtained from the Arsenal at Palamcottah, 


► 


16. The Travancore State and tlie Kair caste are chiefly benefited by the 
maintenance of the Brigade. 


Extract from a letter from Captain H. AY. DALY, in charge Nayar Brigade, to 

Major-General AY. CULLEN, British Resident in Travancore, dated Trevan- 
drum, 21st May 1842. 

The acceptance by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council of Major 
Campbell’s resignation of the command of the Nayar Brigade having been officially 
notified, and further it having transpired that the vacant appointment is to be 
conferred on an officer of the Brigade, I should (I feel) be wanting to myself, if 
1 did not state my claims on the service which I respectfully request may be sub¬ 
mitted for the consideration of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council. 

My father entered the Travancore service in 1789 as Captain and shortly after 
joined the Travancore Troops acting with the Bombay Army under the command 
of Sir Robert Abercrombie, employed in the subjugation of Upper Malabar and 
covering the first siege of SeriDgapatam. 

In April 1794 His Highness the Rajah appointed him as Lieutenant-Colonel 
to the command of a Brigade of five battalions of infantry and one of Artillery, and 
in March 1795 promoted him to rank of Colonel. Sir Robert Abercrombie having 
interested himself to obtain for him both these steps. 

In September 1795, my father received the acknowledgment of Major George 
Petrie of Her Majesty’s 77th Regiment, commanding force from Bombay sent 
against Cochin, for his readiness and polite attention in assisting and forwarding 
the public service, and in November 1795, Major Petrie communicated to him that 
the then Governor of Bombay “ Mr. Duncan was very sensible of his merits, and 
would be happy to convince him of the sense he entertained of them.” 

In May 1805, “ The Governor-General in Council considered the conduct of 
Colonel Daly Commanding the Carnatic Brigade to merit His Excellency’s high ap¬ 
probation for the courage, firmness, and activity manifested by him in directing and 
animating the exertions of the corps under his command, during the prevalence of 
the revolt.” “ The spirit of revolt and discontent,” states Colonel Macaulay, then 
British Resident, in a letter of instructions addressed to my father, 25th December 
1804 “you probably know, extended to all the corps of Nayars.” Indeed the 
most insidious means were resorted to by the Nayar Troops to induce the Carnatic 
Brigade to take part in the rebellion and then force was attempted; but the 
meritorious adherence of the Carnatic Brigade to its “ allegiance and duty ” joined 
1o the active and ardent manner in which the Dewan disciplined and counselled 
the chief Civil officers of the State and roused the inhabitants to arms for the 
defence and rescue of their prince saved the British interests from the ruinous and 
fatal effects which would have followed the success of Neelacunda Pillay and his 
partizans.” 

The letter of instructions above alluded to vras penned by the British Resi¬ 
dent in consequence of information he had received “ from a respectable source ” 
which stated “ that preparations had been making at the Isle of Prance for the 
departure of an expedition composed of some regular troops and two thousand 
conscripts, supposed to be destined for the port of Alleppey in Travancore ” and 
with a view to his making arrangements to defeat any attempts to disembark such 
force ; “the successful landing of which in his country in its then defenceless state 
would in all human probability have been quickly followed by the renewal of the 
revolt and by a complete revolution.” 

During the latter part of the year 1808 Colonel Daly was entrusted by the 
British Resident Colonel Macaulay with a delicate and hazardous negotiation; that, 
namely, of procuring Yaloo Thamby’s voluntary secession from the office of Dewan, 
or Prime Minister, and retirement to Calicut on a pension from the Honourable 
Company; as he had lately become violently opposed to some political measures 
proposed to him. This man eulogised by the British Resident for the active 
and ardent manner in which he had exerted himself to suppress the revolt of 1804, 



21 


had himself risen to the Dewanship some years before by heading a rebellion against 
his prince. This was previous to Colonel Macaulay’s appointment to Travancore; 
but after his arrival the Dewan received the British Resident’s strenuous support, 
and being of an unscrupulous energetic character, he possessed himself of the full 
control of the resources of the country. 

Yaloo Thamby with the view to gain time and lull suspicion expressed willing¬ 
ness to retire to Calicut and into a private station ; he had already secretly mur¬ 
dered Soobyah, the Resident’s Vakeel; and on the very eve of his expected resig¬ 
nation, made a desperate and treacherous attempt on the life of the Resident by a 
body of armed Nayars who attacked his residence at Cochin, cut up the escort, 
and pillaged the treasury. The first intimation given my father of this atrocious 
attempt was by the Dewan himself; my father being then in attendance by his own 
appointment at the cutcherry to accompany him to Calicut. He gloried in antici¬ 
pated success and declared that at the time my father and himself were conversing 
together “ Colonel Macaulay’s head was kicking about the streets of Cochin.’’ 
•Shortly after he heard of the failure of his murderous attempt and chafing with 
disappointment, he ordered my father to lead the Carnatic Brigade to Quilon to 
attack the Company’s troops there stationed. My father peremptorily refused to 
fight against his countrymen, preferring, as a Briton should do, death to dishonour 
and death he fully expected would have speedily followed this refusal. He was, 
however, remanded a prisoner to his house and kept in close confinement at Allep- 
pey, for more than two months under custody of the blood-thirsty Rulpoo Pillay 
(the head of the Pepper Department) by whom were carried into effect the Dewan’s 
orders for the butchering of an Assistant Surgeon of the subsidiary force, seized 
on the backwater ; and for the drowning in sacks of 32 Europeans of Her Majesty’s 
12th Regiment, who were driven by stress of weather into the Port of Alleppy ; and 
disarmed by treachery. 

Providentially, however, Colonel Daly escaped with life ; the Carnatic Brigade 
was disbanded, and, as he was not implicated in having borne arms against the 
British Government, the Governor in Council of Fort St. George consented to his 
drawing a salary of Rs. 300 per mensem, to be charged to the account of the Gov¬ 
ernment of Travancore. 

******* 


(4 )—Extract from the Minutes of Oonmltation , dated 6 th December 1842, Nos. 1 

and 2, Political Department. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 1. From Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Acting Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated 
Travancore, 11th November 1842, No. 50. 

I had the honour to forward on the 1st instant the application of Lieutenant 
Price of the 34th Regiment L.I., doing duty with the Travancore Nair Brigade, to 
resign that service and to be permitted to proceed to Europe on sick certificate. 

It has since been stated to me by the Head Dewan Peishkar in charge of the 
administration that it would be an object with the Sirkar at the present moment 
to avoid the expense of an additional European officer should it be consistent with 
the pleasure of the Most Honourable the Governor in Council to permit it. 

My opinion of the propriety of such an appointment is unchanged, but the 
circumstances under which 1 recommended it about nine months ago in my letter 
No. 5 of the 24th January last have been considerably modified by the great 
changes in the aspect of public affairs as well as in the removal of the late 
inefficient and obnoxious Minister. 

Without, therefore, abolishing the appointment, it might perhaps, should no 
arrangement have yet been made, be permitted to continue vacant for the present 
and until the expenses of the Sirkar have been permanently established on a more 
economical scale. 


6 




22 


No. 2. From R. CLERK, Esq., Acting Chief Secretary to Government, Political 
Department, to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 1st 
December 1842, No. 542. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, 
No. 685, and to acquaint you that the Most Honourable the Governor in Council 
will abstain for the present from appointing an officer to the vacancy in the Nair 
Brigade occasioned by Lieutenant Price’s resignation of that service. 


(5)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 2 6th October 1847, Nos. 1 and 

2, Political Department. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 1. From Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident at Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St, George, dated Tri¬ 
vandrum, 9th October 1847, No. 35. 

* * * * * 

10. Although not appearing in the accounts of the year now forwarded, it 
will be satisfactory to the Most Noble the Governor in Council to learn that His 
Highness the Rajah almost immediately after his accession gave his consent to a 
measure which had long been pressed on the attention of his predecessor, the late 
Rajah, viz., the formation of a limited pension establishment for the worn-out 
sepoys of the Nair Brigade. 

I had frequently proposed the subject to the late Rajah, but it was only in 
1845 that it was very strongly pressed upon His Highness, as reported in my 
letter No. 18 of 20th August 1845, paragraphs 12,13 and 14, in consequence of the 
suggestions of Major Gunning then in command of the brigade. Nothing, however, 
was done by the late Rajah, notwithstanding the recommendation of Government 
on the subject, as per Minutes of Consultation of 8th September 1845, No. 322, and 
which were duly communicated to him. 

11. The visit of Major-General Gibson in the month of February last afforded 
an opportunity to Major Shirreff of again bringing the question forward, and a 
pension establishment was at once sanctioned by the present Rajah. The number 
of men pensioned on the present occasion was— 

Native Officers ... . . 3 

Non-commissioned Officers . ... ... 25 

Rank and fide . 101 

a much larger proportion than are likely to be brought forward again, and it has 
been determined to limit hereafter the expenses of the pension establishment to 
three per cent, on the pay of the Native officers and men of the brigade. 

12. It is necessary also that I should notice that the appointment of a Staff 
Officer to the brigade having been recommended to the late Rajah at the same 
time with that of a pension establishment, His Highness acceded to it, and it was 
therefore again brought to the notice of the present Rajah who sanctioned the 
appointment on an allowance as originally proposed of Rs. 100 a month. 

I ought perhaps to have obtained the concurrence of the Most Noble the 
Governor in Council to this appointment before allowing it to take effect, but I 
had witnessed for some years past so much money thrown away upon the most 
unworthy objects, that I was glad to seize the opportunity of securing a small 
salary for an appointment that 1 had reason to believe would be useful, and I 
hope at an early moment to be able to furnish the Most Noble the Governor in 
Council with an explanation, which I trust will satisfy the Honourable the Court 
of Directors on the subject. 




No. 2. 


Order thereon, 21 st October 1847, No. 492. 


***** 

4. The appointment of a Staff Officer to the Nair Brigade and the grant 
of pensions to the worn-out sepoys g of that brigade meet with the approval of 
Government. 


* * * * * 


(6)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 1 7th July 1849, Nos. 27 and 

28, Political Department. 


No. 27. From Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident at Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Tri¬ 
vandrum, bth July 1849, No. 14/1849. 

I have the honour by desire of His Highness the Rajah to request that the 
Right Honourable the Governor in Council may be pleased to nominate a Subal¬ 
tern officer of the Company’s service to succeed Lieutenant Crewe in the Nair 
Brigade. 

Lieutenant Crewe was Quartermaster and Staff officer, but it is now pro¬ 
posed that the Subaltern officer, who may be nominated in succession to Lieutenant 
Crewe, should be appointed to command a battalion with the local rank and regi¬ 
mental pay and allowances of a Captain. 

This will give him the same aggregate pay, &c., as Quartermaster. 

To the Quartermastership it is proposed to re-appoint a Captain Staig, now 
commanding a battalion, as it is found that he is better adapted for the one office 
than the other :— 


Lieutenant Crewe’s allowances were as Lieutenant on full batta 
Staff pay as Quartermaster ... 

As Staff officer 


As Captain commanding a battalion on full batta 

Total ... 

By the proposed re-appointment of Captain Staig, he will 
continue to draw his allowances as a Captain ... 

As Staff officer, stationery, &c. 


A Subaltern with local rank of Captain to command a 
battalion 


Former charge ... 
Saving ... 


RS. 

A. 

286 

io 

100 

0 

100 

0 

486 

10 

445 

6 

932 

0 

445 

6 

14 

10 

460 

0 

445 

6 

905 

6 

932 

0 

26 

10 


No. 28. Order thereon, dated 17th July 1849, No. 374. 

Ordered that the Resident at Travancore be informed that agreeably to his 
request an officer will be immediately appointed to succeed Lieutenant Crewe in 
the Nair Brigade. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) H. C. MONTGOMERY, 

Chief Secretary. 












24 


Subadar-Major Kumaran Thamby's information regarding the Militia of Travancore , 
both ancient and modern, given to the late Brigade Interpreter , in the 
vernacular and translated by him, dated 21th April 1854. 

It appears the country called Travancore was comprised of a number of petty 
independent principalities (such as Mavelikara, Changanacherry, Nedumangad, 
Pantalam, Ampalapuzha, &c., &c , which States had once flourished), whose rulers 
were in constant warfare, not only with each other, but with the Rajah of Travan¬ 
core ; the ambition of the latter led him to a suppression of such aggressions on 
the part of those States, and for this purpose he raised the militia as emergencies 
occurred, and with their assistance the small States above mentioned, were attacked, 
conquered and subdued; and thus the King of Travancore extended the limits 
of his own province which is at present included between Kuriyapallv and Cape 
Comorin. The Subadar-Major is not aware of the particulars as to how and in 
what manner the military was in those days composed further than that each 
householder had to subscribe one individual for the soldiery, whose arms were 
bows, arrows, shields, swords, axes, spears, and a peculiar musket known by the 
name ‘ Kottapidi Thoke.’ As the country was thus enlarged, the necessity of 
keeping men in permanent military service with a view to the safety and peace 
in the conquered provinces became at once apparent, and accordingly the Maha¬ 
rajah forcibly enlisted his subjects for the purpose, as they had the utmost aver¬ 
sion to that branch of the service. These civil wars ended prior to 1758 A.JD. or 
933 M.E., and the Maharajah whose death occurred in that year, it appears, was 
the first sovereign whose sway extended over all present Travancore. 

2. The Subadar-Major is informed that Travancore became subject to the 
Nawab of the Deccan in the younger days of the sovereign above named. 

3. While thus situated, the Dutch, or the Portuguese attacked * Travancore 

* a d 1740 Colachel, but they were defeated, and of their forces two 

individuals were taken captives, one named Lanois and the 
other Mackae. The superior talents and profound knowledge of Lanois in military 
tactics soon secured to him the confidence of the reigning Maharajah. It led 
to his appointment as Chief Captain in His Highness’ service. It was he that 
constructed modern fire-arms for Travancore, swords, guns, balls, &c., &c., built 
the fort and ramparts of Pooliakurichee and the arsenal there, and instructed 
the men in the art of war. He made everything that was requisite for the defence 
of the country, brought into the service several men of his race as chieftains in 
the different corps, which he thoroughly organized by the name of ‘ Pully Patta- 
Jam,’ which consisted of 72 battalions of 200 men each, wherein the Artillery was 
also included. There were besides six regiments of Infantry styled the * Carnatic 
Brigade,’ whose head-quarters was at Paravur and afterwards at Alleppey. Each 
regiment consisted of 10 companies and 114 men including officers in each, and 
the whole of the 72 Pullies and the Carnatic Brigade together with the attached, 
or in other words the entire military establishment of Travancore amounted in all 
to 30,000 men. 

4. Captain Lanois divided tho whnlo of Travancore into three * faces ’ calling 
them the western, eastern and southern face of the country, and over these he 
distributed the whole of the above number in due proportion. The head-quarters 
was Pooliakurichee where Captain Lanois resided. It appears the remains of 
Captain Lanois are interred in the church inside the fort, and the sepulchral 
monument contains a statement of his services, and his memory is still kept up with 
reverence and respect due to his war-like achievements. 

5. Gfuards were furnished from these corps to several officers of the Sircar, 
and over public buildings. It was these men that collected the revenue, performed 
inferior Police duties; provisions for public festivals were collected by them, 
they also watched over prisoners, and in everywise operated for the defence of 
the country from internal or external attacks and in general for the welfare of the 
country. 

6. All reports were made to His Highness through the Native Head Com¬ 
mandant called ‘ Valia Yejaman,’ Resident at Trivandriim, and under the orders of 


25 


Captain Lanois, and it appears even the discharge of a private required the written 
sanction of His Highness the Maharajah. 

7. While the forces of Travancore were thus located, it appears, Tippoo 
Sultan ot Mysore invaded Travancore making his entry through the Northern 
districts in the years 1788-90. Kesava Pillay, the Dewan to His Highness, pro¬ 
ceeded to Calicut, a British Settlement, to bring in the Company’s army for aid, 
but it appears in the meantime, the troops of Travancore under command of the 
2nd Battalion Subadar-Major’s paternal uncle, attacked and routed them, and 
Tippoo finally left the districts he had conquered. The skirmish took place at a 
village or fort called Maloor. (The Subadar-Major wishes me to add here that 
the Maharajah suitably rewarded his uncle by appointing him to a chief Captain* 
ship in the Carnatic Brigade, and subsequently as head of tne military establish¬ 
ment of Travancore with the title of ‘ Pada Thalavan, ’ Resident at Trivandrum.) 

The memoir of Travancore made by Lieutenant Horsley, I remember, speaks 
on preceding subject. A copy is kept at His Highness’ Free-school. 

8. It was about this period 1795 A.D. that the East India Company entered 
into their first treaty with the Maharajah regarding their mercantile affairs and 
the defence of the country from external attacks, and in Article 7 His Highness is 
required to lend his aid from his regular Infantry and Cavalry exclusive of the native 
Hairs of his country, to be employed with the Company’s troops on either side of 
the peninsula, although in the subsequent treaty of 1805 His Highness was 
relieved from this burdensome task. 

9. The whole of the Travancore army was paid partly in money and partly 
in paddy and other provisions. Under the plea of a general deficiency in the 
revenue, most of the great unnecessary expenses incurred on account of the 
military were dispensed with, and the men were thus deprived of their usual 
benefits from the Sircar by Dewan Yeloo Tampi, it would appear, at the suggestion 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Macaulay, who seems to have merely superintended the 
commercial affairs of the company in Travancore, and with whom the Dewan was 
in terms of closest friendship. This event caused a general meeting among the 
forces, and they were therefore immediately disbanded with the exception of about 
8,000 men who bad not deviated from their allegiance, and Colonel Macaulay then 
brought in four regiments of the Company’s army and stationed them at Quilon, 
as will partly appear from the treaty of 1805, viz., the second treaty, wherein 
Colonel Macaulay is named Resident. 

10. Under some pretence Veloo Tampi at a subsequent period fell out with. 
Colonel Macaulay, collected the residue of the Travancore army and attempted to 
attack the Company’s forces at Ooondary near Quilon, but the Dewan’s forces 
were entirely defeated. Colonel Macaulay directed fresh regiments to attack the 
southern frontier at Arambooly, and to invade the country at once. The Travan¬ 
core Brigade in the southern provinces attempted to defend the country by advice 
of Yeloo Tampi, although the Maharajah declared peace at once. But they were 
likewise defeated, and the whole country was at once brought under final subjec¬ 
tion in 1809. From the foregoing events Colonel Macaulay was induced to dis¬ 
band even the above few men who remained of the old corps, with exception of 
five companies who were retained for the purpose of guarding the palace, pagodas, 
and the forts of Trivandrum and Pulpanabhapuram under a native commandant. 

11. Guards from the Company’s army were placed over Pooliacoorichee, 
Nao-ercoil, the Pulpanabhapuram fort, and other places deemed by the Company’s 
officers necessary, until all signs of future insurrection or revolt shall have 
vanished. 

12. In a memorial addressed by Captain Daly to the Government of Fort St. 
George on 21st March 1839 when he was superseded by Captain Logan in the 
temporary command of the brigade, aud iu his letter to the Resident, dated 21sb 
May 1842. applying for the command of the brigade when Major Lockhart was 
removed, he alludes to the services of his father, Colonel of the Travancore Carnatic 
Brigade and the cause which led to the disbandment of the same, &c., &c., &c. 


26 


13. When Colonel Munro was appointed Resident in succession to Colonel 
Macaulay, he pensioned the native commandant of the five companies, and ap¬ 
pointed one Maha Singh as his successor and Killadar of the fort of Trivandrum. 
In 1814 the then reigning queen intended to proceed on a visit to Pulpanabhapuram, 
and in consequence of the paucity of men to form Her Highness’ escort, permis¬ 
sion was obtained to enlist 200 men more in the military line and thus form 7 
companies. 

14. Maha Singh was relieved and the casualties that existed in the 7 com¬ 
panies were left unfilled, until Captain McLeod came in as the first British Com¬ 
mandant of the brigade and Killadar of Trivandrum. In 1818 Captain McLeod 
discharged all the decrepit and sickly men, and made them over to the Sircar to 
form a Police corps. At first Captain McLeod enlisted 200 men which filled up 
all vacancies, and increased the corps to 8 companies of 100 men each. Shortly 
afterwards he entertained 400 more, thus rendering the corps into 12 companies. 

15. It appears that in the 5 companies that were originally under the 
command of the Native Commander, there were 2 Jemadars to each company, I 
Subadar, 2 Jemadars to bear His Highness’ colors, and 1 Jemadar for the regi¬ 
mental colors. But Captain McLeod discharged the 3 Color Jemadars and reduced 
the Jemadars of companies to one on the formation of the 2nd Battalion. He 
made no other alterations. 

16. Captain McLeod subsequently obtained permission from the Resident to 
enlist more men so as to complete the present brigade, or the 1st and the 2nd 
Battalions (1,000 sepoys in each), and appointed Captains Daly and Sheridan to the 
respective commands. The men were instructed in drill by sepoys belonging to 
the Company’s army and who had been sent for by Captain McLeod. 

17. Captain Sheridan in certain memoranda* he has prepared, and which 
are herewith annexed, speaks of the formation of the present Nair Brigade under 
the superintendence of Captain McLeod of the 9th Regiment M.N.I., having been 
made by permission obtained at the request of Her Highness the late Ranee 
through Colonel Munro, Resident, from the Right Honorable Mr. Elliot, Governor 
of Madras. 

18. At some period when Captain McLeod was enlisting men in the service, 
it appears a great difficulty was experienced in collecting revenue from the southern 
provinces on uncultivated lands. Two companies of the above men who were 
already in the list were ordered to proceed thither. Colonel Munro and the Dewan 
themselves accompanied. The efforts of the Police men were proved altogether 
inefficacious. The sepoys exerted to the best in their power, and, without causing 
the least breach of the peace, they collected the revenue for the Sircar, and, as in 
this respect they rendered themselves far superior to the civil servants, it was 
deemed expedient to raise another battalion (the second) and distribute them, over 
the face of the country, to assist the Tahsildars, Tannah naiques, and the civil 
authorities in the duties appertaining to their respective offices. 

19. The whole of the command stations were once (previous to 1835) 62 in 
number, and the men on duty there, 600, including officers. They were all for the 
greater part under the orders of the Dewan. It would appear that even furlough 
were granted them by that functionary. Reliefs of posts were ordered by the civil 
authorities. Captain McLeod never questioned the Sircar on this interference 
in his province; but Captain Gray, his successor, appears to have taken up the point 
and entered into communications with the Sircar ; and this reference (succoured by 
the fact that misdemeanours committed by individuals of the brigade on command 
were remanded to the Officer Commanding to be tried by the articles of war, after 
having given plausible grounds for collusion between the Civil, and the Military) 
ultimately led the Sircar to resolve to form Police servants, by cancelling vacancies 
in the brigade, and appropriating their pay to the above-named servants; but of the 
command stations few were still retained. 

20. With this object, a reduction of 25 privates was made in each company 
in 1826, and in 1830, a further reduction of from 75 to 70 privates was made, and 


Vide pages 9 — 13, 




27 


this latter is the present establishment. No addition or diminution in the native 
commissioned and non-commissioned, drummers and fifers, arid band, has taken 
place. The band and artillery were, it appears, formed by Captain Gray, who built 
the present barracks. 

21. At subsequent periods at the representations of the Officers Commanding, 
part of the guards at out-posts were decreased or finally withdrawn —vide list 
herewith annexed.* 

22. The Company’s guards stationed in the southern provinces were with¬ 
drawn and replaced by men of the Nair Brigade —vide Brigade Orders, 22nd 
September 1836.f 

23. In a report furnished through the Resident for the Government of India 
on 7th March 1842, Captain Daly J gives concise information of the present 
brigade, the duties required of them, and the conspicuous services it has been 
called on to perform since its formation, and other subjects connected with the 
brigade. 

24. Major Gunning in a letter to the Resident No. 15, 23rd April 1845, 
generally alludes to all the command stations ever since men were furnished from 
the brigade, and recommended a decrease, which was seconded by his successor in 
a letter, dated 15th May 1846, No. 51, and the Sircar sanctioned certain reductions 
which were accordingly carried into effect —vide Brigade Orders, 21st July 1846. 


* Vide Captain Sheridan’s Memo. No. 2. 

t Revised Distribution List of Detachments by Major Campbell, dated Head-quarters, Trivandrum, Thursday the 
22nd September 1836. 

Under instructions from the Dewan, the following revised distribution of the detachments to the south is ordered, 
consequent on the intended removal of the Company’s troops from Oodagherry and Nagercoil:— 

Distribution. 


Stations. 

s 

m 

U 

d 

r C 

00 

u 

d 

00 

<x> 

GO 




d 

rO 

3 

s 

T> 

d 

bp 

d 

O 

P. 

CD 




m 

£ 

w 

£ 

m 



Padmanabhapuram ... 

i 

l 

5 

2 

48 

For the protection of the fort and palace. 

Oodagherry 




1 

6 

For the protection of the buildings within the fort. 

Suchindrum ... ... 

i 


2 

2 

24 


Parties from this guard patrol north as far as Tallagoody, 






and south to Cape Comorin. 

Nagercoil ... 



... 

1 

3 

To guard prisoners. 

Munnacoody ... ... 




1 

3 

For the protection of a paddy granary. 

Punnaculum 



1 

1 

12 


Parties from this guard to patrol south as far as Cape 






Comorin and north to Mnllingoor. 

Aramboly ... 



1 

1 

8 


For the protection of cash chest. 

Parties from this guard to patrol in the vicinityof Aramboly. 
'For the protection of the Tobacco store and thecash chest 

Cottar. 





14 


in the Tahsildar’s office. 






Parties from this guard to patrol north as far as Vadasary 








_ and south to Parakay. 

Poothappandy. 


l 

2 

2 

24 


Parties from this guard to patrol north as far as Cadukkaray 
and south, to Tallakudy, by Kulasekaramputhur. 

Cadukkaray ... ... ... 



1 

1 

12 


Parties from this guard to patrol to the east, as far as 
Anantbapuram. 

Total ... 

2 

2 

13 

13 

154 




All the above-mentioned guards will be directed to be prepared to suppress disturbances and repel marauders 
and, upon the verbal order from any appointed civil authority, will use their arms, and, if directed to fire, will do so 
unhesitatingly, and, if possible, with effect; the civil authority, of course, incurring all resoonsibilities. The men 
required to complete the foregoing commands will be taken from the 4th Company, 1st Battalion, and march this 
after-noon. Bach man composing the above detachments, Palpanabhapuram excepted, will be furnished with twelve 
rounds of ball cartridge and one flint. 

Subadar-Major Coluppram Matheven Pillai, 1st Battalion, will accompany the above party, place the detachments, 
and show the routes for the patrols. 

The Subadar-Major will remain with them a month for the purpose of ensuring the duties being properly 

conducted. 


Vide page 15 et seq. 





















28 


25. No further reduction has since been effected. The present command 
stations are 33, and 320 men on duty. 

26. In the Neet granted by His Highness to the European officers, the 
brigade is mentioned as having been raised “for the protection of the forts, 
palaces, &c., in the Travancore country.” 

2 7th April 1854. 


(7)— G.O ., dated 1st July 1862, No. 257, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 3. From W. FISHER, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to 
A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Esq., Acting Chief Secretary to Government, 
Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 3rd June 1862, No. 34. 

I have the honour to state for the information of Government, that the Dewan 
of Travancore has notified to me the anxious desire of the Government of His 
Highness the Rajah, to reduce the number of European officers serving with the 
Nair Brigade. 

2. It was intended, it appears, that a vacancy created by the retirement of 
Captain Staig, a local officer, should not be filled up, and subsequently similar 
views were entertained with (as the Dewan assures me), the concurrence of the late 
Resident, on the resignation of another officer. 

3. Mr. Maltby’s departure, however, is supposed to have prevented a reference 
to Government on the subject, and Captain Weldon has since been appointed to 
the Nair Brigade—an arrangement for which the Travancore Government were 
not, it appears, prepared. 

4. It is now desired that advantage may be taken of the next vacancy (and 
one is expected to occur immediately), to reduce the number of European officers 
attached to the brigade, from four to three. 

5. I am not prepared, at this moment, to offer an opinion on this question, 
but after due consideration of it, in communication with the Officer Commanding 
the brigade, and such reference to my records as may be necessary on points with 
which I am necessarily at present but little acquainted, I propose to submit, my 
views for the orders of Government. 

6 . Pending receipt, therefore, of such report as I may feel called on to make 
with reference to the wishes now expressed by the Government of Travancore, I 
have the honour to request that no further appointment may be made to the Nair 
Brigade. 


No. 4. Order thereon, 1st July 1862, No. 257. 

The Governor in Council requests that the Resident will expedite the sub¬ 
mission of the report promised in the foregoing letter. It appears to the Govern¬ 
ment to be questionable whether, unless the number of battalions forming the 
Nair Brigade be reduced, any smaller number of European officers than that 
hitherto attached to it will suffice. 


(Signed) A. J. ARBUTHNOT, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 





29 


(8)— G.O., dated 15 th July 1862, J\ T o. 274, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 32. From WILLIAM FISHER, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, 
to A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Esq., Acting Chief Secretary to Govern¬ 
ment, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 30th June 1862, No. 42. 

With reference to my letter of the 3rd instant, I have the honour to state, that 
whilst the Travancore Government still adhere to their opinion, that the number 
of officers now serving with the Nair Brigade is sufficient, the Officer Command¬ 
ing thinks that inconvenience would result from the non-appointment of a fourth 
officer, and that the efficiency of the establishment would be impaired if the full 
number of European officers (four) is not kept up. 

2. With reference to this opinion, the Dewan has under consideration the 
reduction of the brigade, to an extent which will admit of the services of a fourth 
officer being dispensed with. 

3. ‘ As I find that Major Drury’s views are supported by those of his imme¬ 
diate predecessor and other authorities, it only remains, I think, to be seen whether 
such a reduction can with propriety be made in the number of men composing 
the force, as to admit of reducing the number of officers serving with it from 
four to three, without causing inconvenience, or detriment to the efficiency of the 
establishment. 

4. That a reduction in the rank and file may be effected appears to me possible 
enough, on reference to the history of the brigade, a brief account of which 1 now 
proceed to lay before Government. 

5. In 1817 the establishment consisted of about 700 Nairs without arms 
or discipline, who were chiefly employed about the palace and pagoda. 

6. The then Resident, Colonel Munro, suggested that this corps should be 
increased to 1,200 men, who were to be supplied with arms, and placed under 
the Command of an European officer. His object was to relieve the Company’s 
regular troops from harassing duties, and eventually to facilitate the withdrawal 
of a large portion of the subsidiary force. 

7. In carrying out this project under the Residency of Major McDouall in 
1818, a mistaken interpretation was put on Colonel Munro’s proposition, and 
1,200 men were raised in addition to the 700 already embodied. 

8. In 1821 the corps was reduced to 1,500 privates, and it now consists of 
two battalions of 700 privates each, exclusive of native commissioned, non-commis¬ 
sioned officers, band, &c. 

9. From what I have stated it will be seen that the Nair Brigade is numeri¬ 
cally stronger at this moment, than it would have been when first organized, had 
Colonel Munro’s intentions been carried out; and as existing circumstances are 
not such as to render necessary so large a force as it was desirable to raise in 1818, 
reduction appears feasible. 

10. Should Government be of this opinion, it may be deemed desirable to 
allow the Circar time to mature the measures under contemplation, before consid¬ 
eration for the fears entertained regarding maintenance of the efficiency of the 
force is permitted to outweigh the wishes so strongly expressed by the Travancore 
Government. 

11. I have urged on the Dewan the desirability of maturing his plans as 
speedily as possible and will submit them when formed, should Government see 
no objection to the proposed reduction. 


8 


/ 



30 


No. 33. Order thereon, 15tli July 1862, No. 274. 

The Governor in Council will be prepared to consider any proposals the Travan- 
core Government may wish to make for reducing the strength of the Nair Brigade. 

(Signed) A. J. ARBUTHNOT, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(9)— G.O ., dated 7th August 1862, No. 311, Political, 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 12. From WILLIAM FISHER, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to 
A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Esq., Acting Chief Secretary to Gqvernment, 
Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 25th July 1862, No. 50. 

On receipt yesterday of your telegram of the 21st instant, I immediately 
addressed the Dewan, and have now the honour to state, for the information of 
Government, that I have received official intimation from that officer, that it has 
been determined to reduce the Nair Brigade by 300 men or thereabouts, without 
further loss of time. 

2 . The measure will be carried out in communication with the Officer Com¬ 
manding, and will be reported as soon as due effect has been given to it. 

8 . Under the above circumstances, the appointment of a fourth officer appears 
to be unnecessary. 


No. 13. Order thereon, 7th August 1862, No. 311. 

The Governor in Council desires that when the proposed reduction is carried 
out, the Resident will report what will be the exact strength of the Nayar Brigade, 
stating the number of privates, native commissioned and non-commissioned officers. 

(Signed) T. PYCROFT, 

Chief Secretary. 


(10)— G.O., dated 3rd December 1863, No. 360, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 13. From W. FISHER, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Honourable A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Chief Secretary to Government, 
Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 26th September 1863, No. 56. 

With reference to the order of Government, Political Department, dated 7th 
August 1862, No. 311, I have the honour to annex a statement showing the exact 
strength of the Nair Brigade, the proposed reduction having now been carried out. 

2. Great delay has occurred in effecting the reduction in question, and in 
explanation of this delay, I must observe that the reductions have to a great 
extent been made from guards over different Government stores and buildings 
scattered over the whole of Travancore. 

3. The men of the brigade perform, as Government are aware, many of the 
duties ordinarily assigned in former days in British territory to Revenue and 
Police peons and now performed by the Police force. 

4. On first making arrangements, the Dewan understood from the Officer 
Commanding the brigade, that there were three regular reliefs for each guard and 
took his measures accordingly. On these being completed, it was found that 
Colonel Drury had been misunderstood and that there were in point of fact not 3 





31 


but only If. This necessitated a further set of arrangements; but when com¬ 
pleted, it was still found that the full number of men (300) could not be struck off, 
as it then came out that before the reduction commenced there were only If reliefs, 
though they had since risen to If owing to the reductions made. 

5. Further arrangements were again necessitated, as it was impossible that 
duty could be performed at all, if the ordinary reliefs were not allowed for, and at 
last the reduction of the brigade has been completed. 

6. However insufficient these reliefs would be considered for regular troops 
prepared for all emergencies, it must be observed that the Nair Brigade is chiefly 
kept up for purposes of State, and has hitherto been largely occupied in perform¬ 
ing work which can with propriety be entrusted to peons. 


i 


Statement showing the exact strength of the Nair Brigade after the proposed reduction. 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Naigues. 

Sepoys. 

Drummers, 
Fifers and 
Buglers. 

1st Battalion 

10 

10 

40 

40 

570 

23 

2nd Battalion ... ... 

10 

10 

40 

40 

570 

23 

Artillery 


1 

2 

2 

25 

... 

Band 



1 

1 

20 

... 

Total ... 

20 

21 

83 

83 

1,185 

46 


No. 14. From "W. FISHER, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Honourable A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Chief Secretary to Government, 
Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 7th October 1863, No. 58. 

In my letter of the 26th ultimo, No. 56, I had the honour to report the 
reduction of the Nair Brigade by three hundred men. 

2. This reduction, and that of one European officer which follows as a con¬ 
sequence, renders necessary a redistribution of duty between the remaining 
officers of the brigade. 

3. Of the three Subordinate officers hitherto attached to the force, one officer 
performed the duties of Quartermaster and Station Staff officer with charge of 
the artillery and band on a salary of Rs. 460 per mensem, whilst each of the 
others commanded a battalion, their respective salaries being Rs. 445-6-0 per 
mensem. 

4. Lieutenant-Colonel Drury Commanding the brigade now proposes to divide 
the duties formerly undertaken by three officers, between two in the following 
manner :— 

The Officer Commanding 1st Battalion to be Quartermaster and Staff 
officer, and to have charge of the Artillery. 

The Officer Commanding 2nd Battalion to have charge of the Band. 

5. Lieutenant-Colonel Drury informs me that all circumstances considered, 
this is in his opinion the best arrangement open to him, and he considers that the 
officers have a fair claim to extra remuneration for the duties now devolving on 
them. 

6. Apart from the duties of Quartermaster and Staff officer which must 
necessarily be separate, he observes that extra work must now be demanded from 
the two officers under his command—for instance duties of officer of the week, 
and those connected with Committees, Courts of Inquiry, and the like. 
















32 


7. He proposes, therefore, that the Quartermaster and Staff officer shall 
draw Rs. 100 per mensem, and that each Officer Commanding- a battalion shall 
receive Rs. 50 per mensem, in excess of the command allowance hitherto paid, 
as remuneration for such actual extra duties of the Quartermaster hitherto 
employed, as have been allotted to them, and for those arising from extra tours of 
duty consequent on the non-employment of a third officer. 

8. The marginal statement gives the expenditure of the Circar in salaries of 

the three officers hitherto employed ; 
the proposed expenditure in salaries 
of two officers who will now per¬ 
form the duties hitherto devolving 
on three, and the net gain to the 
Circar in consequence of the reduc¬ 
tion of one European officer. 

9. As it appears reasonable that 
some remuneration should be made 
for the extra duties now devolving 
on the two remaining officers of the 
brigade, and the increase of sa'ary 
proposed by Colonel Drury appears 
to be moderate and such as the 
Circar will not object to grant, I 
have the honour to request permis¬ 
sion from His Excellency the Gov¬ 
ernor in Council to submit Colonel 
Drury’s proposal for the favourable 
consideration of His Highness the 
Rajah. 


Expenditure previous to 
reduction. 

Proposed expenditure 
subsequent to reduction. 


RS. A. P. 


ES. A. P. 

Quartermaster 


Officer Command- 


and Staff officer 


ing 1st Battalion 


in charge of 


and Quarter- 


Artillery and 


master and Staff 


Band 

460 0 0 

officer in charge 




of Artillery 

595 6 0 

Officer Command- 




ing 1st Bat- 


Officer Command- 


talion ... 

445 6 0 

ing 2nd Bat- 




talion and in 


Officer Command- 


charge of Band. 

495 6 0 

ing 2nd Bat- 




talion ... 

445 6 0 


— 


— 

Total ... 

1,090 12 0 



Difference or net 




saving ... 

260 0 0 

Rs. ... 

1,350 12 0 

Rs. ... 

1,350 12 0 


No. 15. Order thereon, 3rd December 1863, No. 360. 

The Governor in Council is of opinion that the salaries of the two European 
officers, who are to be in future attached to the Nair Brigade in addition to the 
Commandant, may with propriety be fixed at Rs. (500) five hundred per men¬ 
sem each. The Resident is authorized to submit this scale of salary for the 
consideration of His Highness the Rajah. 


(Signed) A. J. ARBUTHNOT, 

Chief Secretary. 


(11)—(9.O., dated 5 th July 1864, No. 208, Political. 

Read— the following letter :—• 

No. 7. Erom H. NEWILL, Esq., Officiating Resident in Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Honourable A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Chief Secretary to Govern¬ 
ment, hort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 4th June 1864, No. 43. 

With reference to Mr. Fisher’s letter, No. 56, dated 26th September 1863, 
annexing a statement of the strength of the Nair Brigade after its reduction, I 
have the honour to submit herewith a return showing the actual strength of that 
force since its re-organization in November last, at the recommendation of Colonel 
Drury, who thought it desirable to assimilate each battalion as nearly as possible 
with a Native regiment of the Indian Army in the number of its companies and 
the different ranks composing the entire regiment, &c., without, however, entailing 
any additional expense on the Travancore Government. 











33 


Statement showing the actual strength of the Nayar Brigade after its re-organization in November 1863 . 


— 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Naignes. 

Sepoys. 

Drummers, 
Fifers and 
Buglers. 

1st Battalion 

8 

8 

40 

40 

582 

23 

2nd Battalion . 

8 

8 

40 

40 

582 

23 

Artillery 


1 

2 

2 

25 


Band ... . 

... 


1 

1 

20 


Total ... 

16 

17 

83 

83 

1,209 

46 


H. N. 


No. 8. Order thereon, 5th July 1864, No. 208. 

To be recorded. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. D. SIM, 

Secretary to Government, 


My Dear Maclean, Monday, 2nd October 1871. 

Will you kindly answer the following questions and very much oblige :— 

1$£. What changes have been made in the brigade since Daly’s report of 
March 7th, 1842 ? 

2nd. Is, there any difference between the Nayar Brigade and other Native 
Corps except as regards foreign service ? 

3rd. Can the Nayar Brigade be ordered to serve out of Travancore ? 

4th. Has more than one reduction been made since the time of Daly’s report, 
and if so, what ? 

bth. What is the present full strength of the brigade ? 

6th. Is there any difference and if so, what in the pay of any one (officers or 
men) since Daly’s time ? 

7th. Was not the brigade the remnant of the old Carnatic Brigade, and what 
and under whose orders was the Carnatic Brigade ? 

I stupidly tore up your letter on these subjects. Please excuse my troubling 

you. 

(Signed) E. DALRYMPLE. 


Answers to the 7 queries contained in the Assistant Resident's note to Major 
Maclean of the 2nd October 1871. 


Question. 

1st. Was not the brigade the 
remnant of the old Carnatic Brigade and 
what and, under whose orders was the 
Carnatic Brigade ? 


Answer. 

The Carnatic Brigade was a portion 
of the old Travancore Militia which 
numbered 30 or 40,000 men. Colonel 
Daly (Captain Daly’s father) was in com¬ 
mand of the Carnatic Brigade; their 
head-quarters was at Alleppey. It con¬ 
sisted of five regiments of infantry and 
one of artillery, the majority of the men 
were foreigners, not the Nayars of the 
country; and by the treaty with the 
British Government, dated 17th Novem¬ 
ber 1795, this force was bound to serve 

9 





















34 


Question. 


2nd.. Can the Nayar Brigade be 
ordered to serve out of Travancore ? 


3rd. Is there any difference be¬ 
tween the Nayar Brigade and other 
Native Corps except as regards foreign 
service ? 


Answer. 

with, the Honourable Company’s troops 
on either side of the Indian Peninsula. 

In 1794 according to the above 
treaty, one battalion from the Carnatic 
Brigade was sent with the Bombay Army 
against Tippu Sultan of Mysore. When 
after the war against the British Gov¬ 
ernment in 1809, the whole of the Tra¬ 
vancore Troops, were disbanded, only 7 
companies out of them were retained as 
a honorary guard to His Highness the 
Rajah. By permission subsequently 
obtained from the Madras Government, 
the present Nayar Brigade was raised in 
1817-19 A.D., consisting of 2 battalions 
of infantry and a detachment of artillery. 

Thus it may be'said that the Nayar 
Brigade rose from the old Travancore 
Militia. 

No ; the Government permitted the 
Nayar Brigade to be raised only to aid 
the Rajah in the internal administration 
of his kingdom ; and by referring to Art. 
II of the treaty with the British Gov¬ 
ernment, dated 12th January 1805, it 
will be seen that no part of His High¬ 
ness’ Troops can be furnished for service 
in British India. 

Yes, there is a difference. The 
points in which it may be said that a 
Nayar Battalion and a Native Infantry 
Regiment are alike are the dress, arms, 
accoutrements and drill. They vary in 
their strength, the number of the Euro¬ 
pean officers, their pay, their duties, 
their discipline, their regimental lines, 
bazaar, &c., &c. 

The Nayar sepoys have the servile 
duty to perform of cleaning out tanks in 
the palaces, of cutting and preparing 
vegetable for food on State occasions, of 
superintending the distribution of chari¬ 
ties in money and provisions to Brahmins 
and others, pulling down buildings 
erected for religious ceremonies, &c., &c. 

In consequence of the small pay he 
receives and the compulsory performance 
of the servile duties aforesaid, the Nayar 
sepoy can hardly be said to be amenable 
to the strictest military discipline. For 
instance, when Colonel Grant in 1850 
introduced the daily relief of guards in 
place of every fourth day, as also very 
strict rules in carrying out the garrison 
and guard duties similar to those obtain¬ 
ing in Native Infantry regiments, most 
of the men deserted or took their volun¬ 
tary discharge and returned to their 


35 


Question. 


4 th. Has more than one reduction 
been made since the time of Captain 
Daly’s report, and if so what ? 


5 th. What is the present full 
strength of the brigade ? 


Answer. 

labour in the fields in their character of 
farmers of the country. 

Colonel Drury, however, preserved 
the equilibrium between the habits of the 
men and the requirements of the service 
by re-introducing the reliefs every fourth 
day, thus affording them opportunity to 
attend to their labours in their fields and 
gardens, the produce of which is essen¬ 
tially necessary to enable them to support 
themselves and their family in addition 
to their pittance of 5 rupees a month 
from the Sircar. 

General Cullen, the late Resident, 
in a letter to the Commanding officer 
written in 1849, said : Lieutenant Crewe 
contrasts the Command of a Battalion 
in the Company’s service with that of 
one in the Nayar Brigade ; but the cir¬ 
cumstances are altogether different and 
no correct parallel can be drawn. 

In another letter addressed to the 
Commanding officer in 1851, General 
Cullen observed— 

The discipline of the brigade as well 
as the duties of the Medical officer have, 
until the last few years, never been exer¬ 
cised with the degree of strictness usual 
in the Company’s army. It had not, I 
believe, been contemplated on the origi¬ 
nal formation of the brigade, and it is 
only within the last few years that these 
smaller local contingents have attracted 
the notice of Government of India and 
led to somewhat greater assimilation in 
discipline to that of Company’s troops ; 
but circumstances here will hardly admit, 
nor perhaps is it very desirable that it 
should be carried to the same extent. 

In a letter to the Commanding 
officer from the Resident, dated 8th 
March, he was informed that the Nayar 
Brigade was formed originally as much 
for objects of Police as for strictly mili¬ 
tary duties, for their pay was small and 
by the terms of their enlistment they 
were not to serve out of Travancore. 

No ; there was only one reduction 
since 1842 and that was made in 1863. 
It consisted of 20 Havildars, 20 Naigues 
and 260 Sepoys = 300 men. This was 
the third reduction since the formation 
of the brigade. 

1 Major Commanding. 

1 Captain, 1st Battalion. 


36 


Question. Answer. 

1 Captain, 2nd Battalion. 

1 Doctor. 

1 Sergeant-Major. 

1 Band Master. . 

2 Subadars-Major, 1st and 2nd 

Battalions. 

14 Subadars. 

2 Jemadar Adjutants. 

14 Jemadars. 

2 Drill Havildars. 

2 Havildars-Major. 

76 Havildars. 

2 Drill Naigues. 

78 Naigues. 

] Drum-Major. 

1 Fife-Major. 

22 Drummers. 

22 Fifers. 

1,164 Sepoys including 40 Lance- 
Naigues. 

1 Jemadar, Artillery. 

2 Havildars. 

2 Naigues. 

25 Sepoys including 1 Lance- 
Naigue. 

1 Havildar Band. 

1 Naigue. 

20 Musicians including 1 Lance- 
Naigue. 


Public Servants. 

1 Interpreter, Brigade office. 

1 English Writer, Brigade office. 

1 Native Writer, Brigade office. 

1 Samprathy or Paymaster. 

2 Shekaries or Head Accountants. 
16 Company Writers. 

1 Native Writer, 1st Battalion office. 
1 Native Writer, 2nd Battalion office. 

1 Native Writer, Band andArtillery. 

2 Native Apothecaries. 

1 Store Yisaripoo. 

1 Store English Writer. 

1 Store Native Writer. 

1 Tailor. 

5 Smiths. 

2 Puckallies. 

1 Chuckler. 

3 Toties. 

6 Sweepers. 

Grand Total of all Ranks in 1871—1,508. 
Grand Total of all Ranks in 1842—1,782. 

6th. Is there any difference, and if The following comparative table of 

bo, what, in the pay of any one (officer pay will show the increase or decrease 
or men) since Daly’s time? between the years 1842 and 1871:— 


37 


— 

Pay of one of 
each rank in 
1842. 

Pay in 1871 of 
one of each 
rank. 

Bemarks. 




RS. 

CH. 

c. 

RS. 

CH. 

c. 




1 Major (Company’s rupees) 

. . 

... 

1,189 

2 

0 

1,000 

0 

0 

Decrease of Company’s Bs. 189-2-0. 

1 Captain do. 


... 

445 

6 

0 

500 

0 

0 

Increase of Its. 54-10 

-0. 

1 Captain ... 

. , 


445 

6 

0 

500 

0 

0 

Do. 

„ 54-10-0. 

1 Medical officer ... 






470 

0 

0 

New appointment. 


1 Sergeant-Major ... 

. • 

... 

83 

8 

1 

150 

0 

0 

Increase of Bs. 66-7-11. 

1 Band Master 


. • . 

140 

5 

7 

117 

14 

4 

Decrease of Bs. 22-7- 

3. 

1 Subadar-Major (Sircar rupees) 


28 

0 

0 

30 

0 

0 

Increase of Sircar Bs 

2 

1 Subadar ... 

• • • 


18 

0 

0 

20 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

2 

1 Jemadar Adjutant 

• . • 


14 

0 

0 

15 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Jemadar ... 



9 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Havildar-Major ... 



8 

14 

0 

9 

7 

0 

Do. 

do. 

i 

1 Drill Havildar 

• •• 


8 

14 

0 

9 

7 

0 

Do. 

do. 

i 

1 Havildar ... 



6 

7 

0 

7 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

4 

1 Drill Naigue 



6 

3 

8 

6 

21 

0 

Do. 

do. 

t 

1 Naigue 


.. . 

5 

10 

8 

6 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Drum Major 

• . . 


7 

4 

0 

9 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

n 

1 Fife-Major 


• .. 

7 

4 

0 

9 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

it 

1 Drummer 



4 

26 

0 

7' 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

2rg- 

1 Fifer . 



4 

14 

0 

7 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

2* 

1 Sepov 

• t • 


4 

14 

0 

5 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

i 

1 Jemadar, Artillery 



14 

0 

0 

15 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Havildar ... 



8 

0 

0 

8 

21 

0 

Do. 

do. 

£ 

1 Naigue 

... 


7 

0 

0 

7 

17 

8 

Do. 

do. 

f 

1 Sepoy 



5 

14 

0 

6 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

2 

1 Havildar, Band ... 



6 

7 

0 

9 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

H 

1 Naigue 

Mt 


5 

10 

8 

8 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

21 

1 Musician ... 



4 

26 

0 

7 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

2i\- 

1 Interpreter, Brigade office 


. . . 

35 

0 

0 

45 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

10 

1 English Writer ... 



21 

0 

0 

28 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

7 

1 Malayalam Writer 



8 

0 

0 

11 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

1 Samprithy 



20 

0 

0 

25 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

5 

1 Shekary 



9 

0 

0 

12 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

1 Company Writer 



5 

0 

0 

5 

21 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Native Writer, 1st Battalion 



5 

0 

0 

5 

21 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

4 

1 Native Writer, 2nd Battalion 



5 

0 

0 

5 

21 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

¥ 

1 Native Writer, Artillery 


... 

5 

8 

0 

6 

1 

0 

Do. 

do. 

3 

4 

1 Apothecary 

... 

... 

21 

0 

0 

65 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. 

44 

1 Store Visaripu 



15 

0 

0 

15 

0 

0 




1 English Writer ... 






15 

0 

0 

New appointment. 


1 Nath e Writer 



5 

0 

0 

5 

21 

0 

Increase of Sircar Ee. f 

1 Tailor 



14 

8 

0 

14 

8 

0 




1 Smith maistry ... 



7 

4 

0 

14 

0 

0 

Do. 

do. Es.6£ 

1 Smith 



5 

16 

0 

6 

16 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Smith 



5 

14 

0 

6 

14 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Smith 



4 

5 

0 

5 

5 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

1 Smith 



2 

22 

0 

3 

22 

0 

Do. 

do. 

1 

l Puckally ... 



3 

8 

0 

4 

6 

8 

Do. 

do. 

a 

1 Chuckler ... 






7 

4 

0 

New appointment. 


1 Toty 



3 

16 

0 

4 

16 

0 

Increase of Sircar Ee, 1. 

l Toty 






5 

0 

0 

New appointment. 


1 Toty 






5 

0 

0 


Do. 


1 Sweeper ... 






1 

7 

0 


Do. 



Question. 

7th. What changes have been made 
in the brigade since Daly’s report of 
March 7th, 1842 ? 


Answer. 

The material changes may be stated 
as follows:— 

(1) Captain Boss’ post as in 
charge of the guards on command to 
the north was abolished since November 

1842. 

(2) The men on command of all 
ranks at 32 stations in 1842 were 420. 

This was since reduced to 14 
stations and men 119. 

The men on guard duty at Tri¬ 
vandrum in 1842 were 430. 

This was also since reduced to 

304. 

(3) A separate Medical officer— 
Doctor Sperchneider—was appointed for 

10 























38 


Question. * Answer. 

the brigade in place of the Durbar 
Physician since 1851. 

(4) A Staff officer appointed to 
the brigade to assist the Commanding 
officer in his duties since 1847. 

(5) A regular system of pen¬ 
sions for the men of the brigade enacted 
since December 1847 and modified much 
to the benefit of the men in 1871. 

6 . In consequence of the reduction 
in 1863, the battalions were organized 
into 8 companies each (73 privates), the 
previous strength or division being 10 
companies in a battalion. 

7. The post of the officer, who held 
the appointment of Quarter-master and 
Staff officer to the brigade, was abo¬ 
lished in 1863, and the duties of the 
appointment were imposed on the re¬ 
maining two Captains in Command of 
the battalions with an addition to their 
pay of Rs. 50 each. In thus granting 
this small increase, the office allowance 
for the brigade drawn by the Staff 
officer, viz., Rs. 14-10-0, was stopped 
and taken to form a part of the above 
increase of Rs. 50, so that the books 
and stationery required for the brigade 
office have to be supplied by that officer. 

8 . The post of Quarter-master 
Sergeant was abolished in 1866, and 
the Sergeant-Major employed in that 
duty in addition to his own with an 
extra allowance of Rs. 50 a month. 

9. The pay of the Native officers 
and men were increased in 1867, vide 
reply to query No. 6; the sepoy’s pay 
from Rs. 4-8-0 to Rs. 5 a month. 

10. Ten additional public servants 
were allowed for the brigade since 
1842, viz.:— 

1 Store English Writer, 

1 Chuckler, 

2 Hospital toties, and 

6 Sweepers. 

For the pay of these, see reply 
to query No. 6. 

11 . Among the seven articles of 
clothing supplied for the brigade by 
the Sircar {vide Captain Daly’s report) 
the knapsacks were discontinued since 
1867, the gain to the Sircar from this 
item is about Rs. 5,000. 

12. Smooth bore percussion mus¬ 
kets supplied to the brigade, and the 
Hint fuzils discontinued, 1871 A.D. 


39 


Question. 


/ 


Brigade Office, 
8th October 1871. 


Answer. 

13. The Commanding officer’s pay 
was reduced in 1867 from Rs. 1,189—2—0 
to Rs. 1,000 on the occasion of the 
retirement of Colonel Drury, and the 
wish on the part of the Sircar to re¬ 
introduce a Captain Commandant. 

14. Finally the barracks of the 
brigade built for the men forty-two 
years ago and occupied by them since 
August 1827, were pulled down to 
build the public offices on that spot, 
and the brigade is at present quartered 
in the barracks belonging to the Madras 
Government at Trivandrum, which are 
merely lent tc His Highness the Maha¬ 
rajah’s Government on the express 
condition that they shall be made over 
at a moment’s notice when the Madras 
Government requires them. 

(Signed) J. N. MACLEAN, Major, 

Commanding Nayar Brigade. 


Extract from, a letter from General Cullen, the Resident, to Major Grant, 
Commanding Nayar Brigade, No. 370, 9th March 1852. 

The charge of the Police establishment of the Sircar have been regulated 
in a great measure by the assistance and protection expected to be derived from 
the presence of these military guards. 

The discipline, therefore, maintained at head-quarters can hardly, I fear, be 
exacted from these detachments without a departure from the principles, and an 
entire change in the system, however objectionable that system may be, under 
which the Nayar Brigade was originally formed. 


Extract from a letter to the Madras Government from the British Resident 
Mr. Neivill, No. 89, 5 th May 1865. 

Tara. 5 “ The rules and regulations of the army are generally taken as a 
guide, as far as they are applicable to the circumstances of the Nayar Brigade.” 


Letter No. 46, 26 th May 1865. 

Para. 2 “ I find from past correspondence that my predecessors have found it 
impracticable to apply strictly the rules of the British service to the officers of 
His Highness’ Nayar Brigade ; the circumstances in many respects being dissimilar, 
but, as before stated, these rules are taken generally as a guide.’’ 


From M.R.Ry. A. SASHIAH SASTRI, Dewan, to the Officiating Commandant, 
Nayar Brigade, dated Huzur Cutcherry, Trivandrum, 24th July 1877, No. 
3227—R. 1217. 


Prom Dewan to Commandant, Nayar Brigade, No. 2500, 
dated 12th June 1877. 

To Dewan from Commandant, Nayar Brigade, No. 107, 
dated 19th June 1877. 

Prom Dewan to Commandant, Nayar Brigade, No. 2861, 
dated 3rd July 1877. 

To Dewan from Commandant, Nayar Brigade, No. 115, 
dated 6th July 1877. 


Referring to correspondence noted in 
the margin, I have the honour to inform 
you that His Highness the Maharajah 
has been pleased to sanction the addition 
of two Havildars and sixteen Sepoys to 
the strength of the Nayar Brigade to meet 
the demand for the Cardamom Hills. 






40 


2. I should be glad, if you could 
* 1 Hfiviiaar and 8 Sepoys. arrange to send up the * men with the 

usual detachment leaving to-morrow, but 
if this be not possible as early as you can. 


(12)— G.O ., dated 28 th May 1880, No. 3379, Military. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 522. From A. MaoGREGOR, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
R. DAVIDSON, Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. 
George, dated Peermade, 30th March 1880, No. 30. 

I have the honour to forward copy of a letter, No. 45, dated the 4th instant, 
from the Officer Commanding the Nayar Brigade, regarding the appointment of a 
Second Sergeant to perform the duties of Sergeant-Major and to take charge of 
the drill. 

2. As the arrangements proposed have the sanction of His Highness the 
Maharajah, I request that Government will be pleased to procure the services of a 
non-commissioned officer to be appointed Sergeant-Major and Drill Instructor to 
the Nayar Brigade. 

3. The pay of the appointment is Rs. 100 per mensem with free quarters and 
the usual clothing. 

4. A sum of Rs. 70 will also be paid to defray the travelling expenses pro¬ 
ceeding to join. 


From Major W. D. B. KETCREN, Commandant, Nayar Brigade, to the British Resident of 
Travancore and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 4th March 1880, No. 45. 

Adverting to the sanction of His Highness the Maharajah to revert to the old arrange¬ 
ment of a Second Sergeant being appointed to perform the duties of Sergeant-Major and to take 
charge of the drill as communicated in the Dewan’s letter, No. 2507-900-R, dated 30th April 
1879, a copy of which was forwarded tc the Officer Commanding the Nayar Brigade with your 
memorandum, No. 452, dated 5th May 1879, I have the honour to request that you w-ill be so 
good as to apply to the Madras Government for the services of a non-commissioned officer to be 
appointed Sergeant-Major and Drill Instructor to the Nayar Brigade. 

2. The pay of the appointment is Rs. 100 per mensem with free quarters and the usual 
clothing. A sum of Rs. 70 will also be paid to defray travelling expenses proceeding to join. 
As pointed out in para. 2 of your letter, No. 138, dated the 13th ultimo, the post not being a 
new one, the pension of the non-commissioned officer now applied for will be borne by the 
British Government agreeably to letter from the Government of India, No. 234-G, recorded in 
Madras Government Order, No. 55, dated the 5th February 1873. I am unable to state what 
the amount of the pension is, as it would appear from the existing regulations to be doubtful 
whether the pension granted by the British Government will be that of the rank subsequently 
attained in the Nayar Brigade, viz., Sergeant-Major, or that of the rank the non-commissioned 
officer may hold in the British Service on his transfer to the brigade. As the Adjutant-General, 
in his letter, No. 2302, dated the 26th November 1879, requires definite information in regard 
to the pension so as to be able to communicate the terms to regiments when calling for appli¬ 
cants, I shall feel obliged by your eliciting the above information from Government. 

3. In the above-quoted letter, a copy of which was forwarded to you with my letter. 
No. 192, dated 11th December last, the Adjutant-General states that “ on Government sanc¬ 
tioning the arrangement, his department will, under the ordprs of His Excellency the Com- 
mauder-in-Chief, adopt steps to nominate a man to the post. 


No. 819. 

Transferred to the Military Department. 

Fort St, Georoe, (Signed) R. DAVIDSON, 

10th April I860. Chief Secretary. 





41 


No. 2332. 

Referred to the Controller of Military Accounts, for report on the question 
of pension. 

(By Order.) 

Fort St. George, (Signed) H. N. D. PRENDERGAST, Colonel, R.E., 
12th April 1880. Acting Secretary to Government. 


No. 523. Report from Colonel J. W. RIDEOUT, Controller of Military Accounts, 
to Colonel H. N. D. PRENDERGAST, Y.C., c.b., R.E., Acting 
Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated Ootacamund, 
4th May 1880, B. 


In returning letter from the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 30th 
March 1880, No. 30, with its enclosure, referred under your docket of the 12th 
April 1880, No. 2332, I have the honour to inform you that, according to the 
decision of Government, dated 15th April 1868, No. 1458, republished in G.O.C.C., 

of 21st idem, No. 38, page 91, European 


Procs. of Govt., No. 2193, of 6th July 1872. 
Do. ,, 3064, of 25th Sept. „ 

Do. Political Department, No. 55, 
of 5th February 1873. 


non-commissioned officers and soldiers 
employed under Native Powers and 
holding local staff rank are not entitled 
to any increased rate of pension from the 
British Government. 


No. 524. Order thereon, 28th May 1880, No. 3379. 

His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief will be requested to place the services 
of a non-commissioned officer at the disposal of the Travancore Government. 

2 . The foregoing letter from the Controller of Military Accounts will be com¬ 
municated to the Resident, in reply to the question relative to the pension to which 
the man will be entitled. 

3. Under Proceedings of Government, Political Department, No. 55, dated 
5th February 1873, the non-commissioned officer will not be required to pay any 
pensionary contribution. 

(Signed) H. N. D. PRENDERGAST, Colonel, R.E., 

Acting Secretary to Government. 


(13)— G.O., dated 24ath February 1881,^0.101, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 27th November and 20th 
December 1880, Nos. 114 and 128. 

Demi-official from the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 9th Febru¬ 
ary 1881. 


No. 30. Order thereon, 24th February 1881, No. 101. 

The Government learn that His Highness the Maharajah of Travancore pro¬ 
poses to re-organize his Body-guard and place them on the same footing as the 
sepoys of the Nayar Brigade, entrusting the command to the Officer Commanding 
that Brigade. 

2. For the additional duties which, by this arrangement, will be imposed on 
the Commandant, the Maharajah is prepared to grant him an extra allowance of 
Rs. 200 a month. 


11 






42 


3. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council has no objection to the 
proposal, but cannot in any way recognise the supervision of the carriages and 
horses of the Maharajah as part of the duties of the Commandant. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. DAVIDSON, 

Chief Secretary. 


(14)— G.O ., dated 18th September 1882, No. 345, Political. 

Read— >the following papers :— 

From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 
23rd June 1882, No. 51. 

The Dewan of Travancore has requested me to apply to the Madras Govern¬ 
ment for the services of an European Medical Officer for the Nayar Brigade, the 
office having become vacant through the death of Dr. Sperschneider. 

2. His Highness the Maharajah’s Government are prepared to offer the fol¬ 
lowing terms to an European Medical Officer :— 


Initial pay 






BS. 

300 

To be raised after 

5 years to 





350 

Do. 

10 do. ... 





400 

Do. 

15 do. ... 





500 

Do. 

20 do. ... 





600 

Do. 

25 do. ... 





700 


Furlough, leave and pension will be regulated by the rules applicable to the 
Indian Medical Service. 

3. If there is any difficulty in immediately engaging the services of a duly 
qualified person on these terms, the Dewan wishes me to ascertain whether Gov¬ 
ernment are disposed to lend the services of an Assistant Surgeon until Travancore 
is able to secure a proper officer. 


From V. RAMIENGAR, Esq., Dewan of Travancore, to the British Resident 
of Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 13th August 1882, No, 1894/M-762. 


With reference to the letters noted in the margin, I have the honour to request 

you will, be good enough to apply to the 
Madras Government for sanction to place 
at the disposal of His Highness’ Govern¬ 
ment the services of an Army Surgeon under five years’ service for employment as 
the Medical Officer of the Nayar Brigade. 


To Resident, No. 1298, dated 10th June 1882. 
From Resident, dated 8th July 1882. 


2. I understand that the pay and allowances of a Surgeon of this standing in 
medical charge of a regiment amounts to Rs. 450. In Travancore he will receive 
that pay besides Rs. 50 house-rent. Another Rs. 50 a month for teaching a class of 
medical pupils may also be available. 


From W. R. CORNISH, Esq., f.r.c.s., c.i.e., Surgeon-General with the 
Government of Madras, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 
Cuddalore, 4th September 1882, No. 498, Tour. 

With reference to correspondence from the Travancore Government, referred 
with your endorsement No. 786, dated the 21st ultimo, I have the honour to report 
for the information of Government that a Medical Officer of the establishment 
under five years’ service can be spared for appointment to the Medical charge of 
the Nayar Brigade on the terms offered by the Dewan in his letter No. 1894/M-762, 
dated 13th August 1882, namely, salary of Rs. 450 and house-rent Rs. 50 per 
mensem. 















43 


2. I have accordingly the honour to submit the name of Surgeon I. Leonard 
for the approval of the Right Honourable the Governor, and will relieve him of 
the temporary medical charge of Madura on receipt of His Excellency’s sanction. 


Order thereon, 18th September 1882, No. 345. 

Approved. The Surgeon-General will submit a formal minute of appointment 
for notification in the Gazette. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) C. G. MASTER, 

Chief Secretary. 


(15)— G.O., dated 15 th May 1885, No. 337, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 1st December 1884, 
No. 150. 

I have the honour to forward, for orders of Government, copy of a letter * 

and enclosures + from the Dewan of Tra- 

* No. 3402-M 1384, dated 1st instant. vancore, suggesting a reduction in the 

t In original for return. number of European officers attached 

to the Nayar Brigade. 

2. My predecessor Mr. MacGregor was, I know, opposed to a reduction in the 
number of the European officers on the ground that it would probably affect the 
efficiency of the corps, if at any time called out for active service. 

3. Lieutenant-Colonel Ketchen considers that the reduction may be made 
without any sacrifice of efficiency. 

4. As a civilian whose opinion on military subjects is of little value, I should 
differ with the Colonel, unless he means necessary efficiency under present existing 
circumstances. 

5. I have, however, no remarks to offer unless I may be called upon for an 
opinion. 

6. The military force consists of about 1,440 men. 


From V. RAMIENGAR, Esq., Dewan of Travancore, to the British Resident of Travancore and 
Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 1st December 1884, No. 3402-M 1384. 

With reference to our conversation on the subject of reducing one of the Battalion officers 
a of the Nayar Brigade, I have the honour to 

* To be returned. £ j i ll * £ 

iorward, herewith, a letter * trom the Com- 
mandant, No. 192, dated the 28th ultimo, from which you will observe that the duties of the 
force can be efficiently performed by two European officers assisted by the Serjeant-Major and 
the two Subadars-Major. When one of the European officers goes on a short leave the other 
will look after the duties of both, as has often been done before, but if he goes on sick leave or 
furlough to Europe, an officer from the Madras Army will be sent to act for him according to 
custom. 

2. His Highness’ Government are anxious to keep down as far as possible the expenditure 
on the brigade, which, as you know, is ordinarily required to do merely guard duties within the 
State, and perhaps to assist in keeping the peace. But this latter duty in a country remarkable 
for the orderly behaviour of the subject population, the force will be seldom called upon to 
perform. Besides we have now, what was not in existence before, an organized police fully equal 
in strength to the brigade itself and maintained at a heavy cost; and this is a reason why the 
strictly military expenditure should be restricted as much as possible consistently with efficiency. 

3. Under these circumstances, His Highness’ Government trust you will see no objection 
to the number of European officers being reduced from three to two, and Captain Welch’s 
resignation, lately tendered and accepted, affords a favorable opportunity for doing this. 





41 


4. His Highness’ Government will be prepared to grant an increase of pay to the two 
remaining officers who will be charged with slightly additional duties in consequence of the 
reduction. 


From Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. B. KETCHEN, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the Dewan 
of Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 28th November 1884, No. 192. 

I have the honour, in reply to your letter, No. G. 3324-M 1345, dated 26th instant, to inform 
you that, in my opinion, the reduction desired by His Highness’ Government is practicable without 
sacrifice of efficiency, though it will entail considerable addition to the duties at present performed 
by the remaining officers, &c. 

2. I enclose a scheme for the redistribution of the military details, and trust that His 
Highness’ Government, considering that the saving in prospect will amount to rather more than 
Rs. 300 per mensem, will see the advisability of allotting the difference between that sum and the 
total allowances of a Battalion officer (Rs. 550) to the persons upon whom the extra duties will 
fall. The proportions in which I think it should be divided, viz., one-fifth, to all concerned 
except the commanding officer, in whose case I have only proposed one-tenth, are given in the 
enclosed table. 


Draft of a scheme for re-organizing the Nayar Brigade. 


For the information of the Travancore Government. 


Designation of officer. 

Nature of duties proposed to be done by him 
in addition to those at present performed. 

Present 
rate of 
pay. 

Proposed 

increase. 

Proportion 
of increase 
to present 
pay. 



RS. 

RS. 


Officer Commanding the Brigade. 

To take entire charge of the Artillery in 
addition to his present general charge of all 
His Highness’ troops. 

To assume general charge of both Infantry 
Battalions instead of one as at present, and 
of the brigade clerical establishments, but to 
be relieved of charge of the Artillery. 

1,000 

100 

Tff 

Brigade-Major 

500 

100 


Medical officer ... ... 

As at present 




Brigade-Sergeant.-Major 

To assist Brigade-Major generally, and to 
instruct Infantry N.-C. O’s in drill, &c. 

100 

20 


Two Subadars-Major of Infantry. 

To receive neets as Lieutenant and to command 
their battalions on parade subject to the 
supervision of the Brigade-Major and Brigade 
Sergeant-Major. 

40 + 40 

8 + 8 


Subadar-Major of the Body Guard 

To receive neet as Lieutenant. Duties as at 
present. 

... 


... 

Jemadar of Artillery 

Neet as 2nd Lieutenant. Duties as at present. 

... 



Subadars and Jemadars 

Neets of their rank. Duties as at present 

,,, 


, 

Two Jemadar-Adjutants 

To assist the Sergeant-Major in matters of drill 
and duty as required* 

20 + 20 

4 + 4 

i 

By amount of proposed increase as above ... ... ... ... 


244 


To amount of 2nd Battalion officer’s pay and house-rent 

550 



By balance saved to Government 

Total ... 

550 

306 

550 



N.B .—The saying will be slightly more, as the native officers receive their pay in the Travancore currency. 


From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Secretary to Government, dated Peermade, 27th April 1885, No. 49. 

With reference to my No. 150 of 1st December 1884, I have the honour to 
submit the following remarks. 

2. In 1817 the military force of the Rajah of Travancore consisted of 700 
men irregularly armed and without discipline. Colonel Munro, the then Resident, 
recommended that the force be increased to 1,200 Nayar troops properly armed 
and placed under European officers. 

3. His object was to relieve the East India Company’s troops of various 
harassing duties and to facilitate the withdrawal of a large portion of the subsidiary 
force. 


















45 


4. In 1818 (by an error) 1,200 men were enlisted in addition to the 700 and 
the whole, force placed under a British Commanding officer with three British 
officers under him. 

5. In 1821 the force was however reduced to 1,400 men, and in 1862 it was 
further proposed to reduce this force by 300 men and to remove one of the four 
British officers. 

6. The full reduction in the number of men does not seem to have been fully 
carried out, but the number of officers was reduced from four to three, that is to 
say, one Officer commanding and two Battalion officers. 

7. In December 1863 the pay of the two Battalion officers was raised from 
Rs. 445-6-0 to Rs. 500 each per mensem. 

8. In April 1867 the pay of the Commanding officer was reduced from Rs. 
1,189-2-0 to Rs. 1,000 per mensem and house-rent free. 

9. I may mention that the reduction in the number of men and officers was 
strongly opposed by Major Herbert Drury, who commanded the brigade at the time 
on the grounds that the amount of work thrown on the men would be rendered 
excessive, and this objection was met by a reduction in the number of guards and 
sentries, &c. 

10. The reduction of the number of officers was objected to on the same 
ground, but the work was apportioned to the two officers, and does not appear to 
have been excessive. 

11. It is now proposed to reduce the number of officers still further in view 
to effect a saving to the Sircar of about Rs. 3,672 per annum. 

12. The total pay of a Battalion officer is Rs. 500 -f- Rs. 50 house-rent, and 
the Commanding officer now proposes that the balance of Rs. 244 per mensem be 
distributed amongst the remaining officers by increasing the pay of himself and the 
Battalion officer by Rs. 100 each, and distributing the remaining Rs. 44 amongst 
various Native officers. 

13. It seems to me that the only questions which it is necessary to consider 
are whether the efficiency of the corps would be affected by the proposed reduction, 
and whether it might be likely that at any time the force would be left without 
any European officer. 

14. Speaking as a civilian, I should be inclined to suppose that the discipline 
of the corps would be likely to suffer. 

15. The force is a species of militia, and is no doubt at present well drilled, 
and, considering the absence of emulation caused by the presence of other regi¬ 
ments, is wonderfully smart and capable of performing satisfactorily all ordinary 
garrison duties. 

16. It is quite possible that this smartness may be due to the force being 
divided into two battalions, each under a different officer. 

17. I should not suppose that one officer would be able to keep the two batta¬ 
lions, each consisting of some 700 men, in their present state of efficiency. 

13. If the Commanding officer or the one officer under him go on leave, the 
entire duties would fall on one officer, and if it should happen that he was taken 
ill, the force would left without any European officer. 

19. The services of the force have twice been placed at the disposal of the 
British Government, and there can be but little doubt that in case of emergency 
this force (which ia bound by every interest to be loyal) might be most usefully 
employed in relieving portions of the regular army for active service. 

20. With reference to the increase of pay proposed by Colonel Ketchen, I 
would refer to G.O., No. 360, dated 3rd December 1863, in which Government 
fixed the pay of the two officers of the brigade at Rs. 500 each, and G.O., No. 93, 
of 6th April 1867, whereby the pay of the Commandant is fixed at Rs. 1,000 per 

12 


46 


mensem, and G O., No. 265, of 31st August 18.71, in which Government declines to 
reconsider the question of the Commandant’s pay. 

21. I concur in the opinion held by my predecessor Mr. MacGregor that 
a reduction in the number of European officers attached to the brigade is 
unadvisable. 


Order —dated 15th May 1885, No. 837, Political. 

While no obstacle would be opposed to the reduction of the Nayar Brigade to 
one battalion of seven or eight hundred men, the Governor in Council considers 
that so long as the existing organization is maintained there must be an English 
officer in command of each battalion. 


2. The Resident will make His Highness’ Government acquainted with this 
opinion. 


(True Extract.) 


(Signed) E. F. WEBSTER, 

Chief Secretary . 




47 


III.—ORDERS REGARDING PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE 
OFFICERS EMPLOYED IN THE NAYAR BRIGADE. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 2^th May 1836, Nos. 15 and 16, 

Political Department. 

No. 15. From J. S. FRASER, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 
13th May 1836, No. 35. 

I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of Government, that 
His Highness the Rajah of Travancore has been pleased to grant the local rank 
of Major to Captain Campbell commanding the Nayar Brigade, subject to the sanc¬ 
tion of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council of Fort St. George, and that 
of Captain to Lieutenants Daly and Sheridan, who have been in His Highness* 
service 17 years respectively. 

The pay of Captain Campbell has also been increased on the same occasion 
from 1,000 to 1,050 Sircar rupees, being a little less than he would receive as 
Major commanding a regiment in the Honourable Company’s service; and the pay 
of Lieutenants Daly and Sheridan, respectively, from 300 to 400 Sircar rupees, 
being somewhat less than the pay and allowances of a Captain commanding a 
company in the Honourable Company’s service. 

That the Government of Fort St. George may be aware of the strength of the 
Nayar Brigade, I do myself the honour to enclose the latest return of that corps ; 
and I have only further to add that in order to prevent any present necessity for a 
further increase of European officers in the corps, Captains Daly and Sheridan will 
be required, notwithstanding their increase of rank and pay, to perform precisely 
the same duties—whether as Adjutants or otherwise—as they do at present. 


No. 16. From H. CHAMIER, Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, to the 
Resident of Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 24th 
May 1836, No. 764, Political. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 35 of 13th instant, 
and to inform you that the Governor in Council is not aware of any objection 
existing to the arrangements you have reported. 


(2 )—-Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 19th 
September 1838, No. 1, Political Department. 

***** 

28. Conformably to an intimation already made to you by us, Major Campbell, 
Dr. Dalmahoy and Lieutenant Horsely must cease to draw their subsistence money 
in addition to their allowances from the Travancore Government. It is proper 
that they should receive their net pay from the Military Department, but for this 
our Government must be reimbursed by the Travancore Government and an equal 
abatement made in the Travancore allowances of those officers. 

***** 







48 


(3) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 14 th January 1840, No. 12, 

Political Department. 

The Right Honourable the Governor in Council is of opinion that officers of the 
Company’s service in the employment of the Travancore Sircar should receive as 
fixed pay the allowances which they would draw if with their regiments, with 
such addition for commanding a brigade, regiment or company as His Highness 
the Rajah may be pleased, with the concurrence of Government, to grant. 

The salaries of officers holding commissions solely in the Travancore Sircar 
appear to be a matter entirely for the consideration of that Sircar, who will doubt¬ 
less be disposed to take a liberal view of their case and to place them on an equal 
footing with the Company’s officers employed in the Travancore service. 


(4) — Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 4 th February 1840, Nos. 10 

and 11, Political Department. 

No. 10. From Lieutenant-Colonel T. MACLEAN, Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated Cochin, 21st January 1840, No. 9. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of extract from Minutes of 
Consultation in the Political Department, dated the 13th instant, on a letter from 
me No. 43 of date the 18th December 1839, and on one from Major Campbell 
commanding the Nayar Brigade of the 2nd instant. 

2. I shall take an early opportunity to submit the sentiments and opinions 
of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, as recorded in these minutes, to 
H is Highness the Rajah of Travancore, and 1 beg to be informed whether any 
communication to the Orficer Commanding the Nayar Brigade should be made 
by me in the meantime. 

3. In reference to the first paragraph of the Minutes, I take the liberty to 
mention that, although composed of two battalions, there is no separate command 
nor independent authority, the two senior officers—Captains Daly and Logan— 
being returned as A Ring Adjutants to the respective battalions, not Commandants. 
Lieutenant Staig, a local officer (as is Captain Daly) is returned as Quartermaster 
to both. All orders are issued by the Commandant, and by him are the returns 
of both battalions signed. The corps may, therefore, I think, be more properly 
denominated a r^t/i nent with two battalions and commanded by a regimental 
officer than a brigade with a Brigadier in command. 1, therefore, respectfully beg 
to submit that a new organization of the corps would be required to be made 
before the situations of the European officers could be assimilated to those in 
the Honourable Company’s service in the command of brigades, regiments, or 
companies. 

4. In the case of Major Campbell, that officer would be a loser if he was 
placed on the allowances of an officer with his regiment. His regimental pay 
and allowances as Captain, with full batta, would be Rs. 445-6-0, add Rs. 500 as 
a Brigadier of the second class, total Rs. 945-0-0, from which the Company’s allow¬ 
ance of Rs. 30 would have to be deducted, leaving Rs. 915-6-0, whereas he now 
draws Rs. 1,050 per mensem. Were Captains placed in separate command of the 
1st and 2nd battalions, their pay and allowances would be Rs. 815 per mensem, 
and the allowance for companies would be drawn by such other officers as might 
be attached to the respective battalions. 




49 


No. 11. From the Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, to the 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 3rd 
February 1840, No. 49. 

I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge 
the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, and to state that, in recommending 
that British officers in the Nayar Brigade should receive such allowances as the 
Rajah of Travancore might see fit, with the concurrence of Government, to annex to 
their local rank in his service, in addition to the amount which they would draw if 
they were doing duty with their own regiments, the Government had no intention 
of suggesting any alteration in the organization or discipline of the Nayar Brigade, 
and, under the explanation afforded, are not inclined to press that recommendation. 

The case of the local officers appears to His Lordship in Council worthy of 
the liberal consideration of the Rajah, but he would not wish to interfere in it, 
being confident that His Highness will see the good policy and justice of support¬ 
ing his own officers and of removing all grounds of jealousy and ill-will between 
them and the Company’s officers in his service. 

You will be pleased to communicate the resolution of Government on this 
subject to Major Campbell with an observation that his present allowances, being 
in excess of those which he would receive if exercising a similar command in the 
Company’s service, do not, in the opinion of His Lordship in Council, call for 
amelioration. 


(5) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 1 1th 
February 1840, No. 1, Political Department. 

***** 

2. We received through the Resident in Travancore and Cochin a memorial 

from Captain R. N. Campbell of the 4th 
Minutes of Consultation, 14th January 1840, Regiment, Madras Native Infantry, com- 

Minute^of Consultation, 4thFebruary 1840, manding the Nayar Brigade with the 
Nos 10 and 11 local rank ot Major, requesting that as 

Captain Logan, appointed in 1839 to 
the Travancore service, had been permitted by His Highness the Rajah to draw 
allowances equal to what he would have been entitled to receive from the Company 
had he remained with his corps, which was at a full-batta station, himself and the 
other officers of the Nayar Brigade, namely, Captain Daly and Lieutenant Staig, 
who are not in the Company’s service and have, therefore, only local rank, might 
be placed on a similar footing by their pa}f being increased to a sum equal to that 
drawn by corresponding ranks in the Company’s army on full batta. 

3. In reply we stated that we were of opinion that officers of the Company’s 
service in the employment of the Travancore Sircar should receive as fixed pay the 
allowances which they would draw if with their regiments, with such addition for 
commanding a brigade, regiment, or company, as His Highness the Rajah might 
be pleased with the concurrence of Government to grant. We observed that the 
salaries of officers holding commissions solely in the Travancore Sircar appeared to 
be a matter entirely for the consideration of that Sircar, who would doubtless be 
disposed to take a liberal view of their case, and to place them on an equal footing 
with the Company’s officers employed in the Travancore service. 

4. The Resident, however, pointed out that from the peculiar constitution of 
the Nayar Brigade a new organization of the corps would be requisite before the 
situations of the European officers could be assimilated to those of officers in the 
Company’s service, and we, therefore, informed him that the Government had no 
intention of suggesting any alteration in the organization or discipline of the Nayar 
Brigade, and under the circumstances explained were not inclined to press their 
recommendation. We stated that the case of the local officers appeared worthy of 
the liberal consideration of the Rajah, but that the Government would not wish 

13 



50 


to interfere in it, being confident that His Highness would see the good policy and 
justice of supporting his own officers and of removing all grounds of jealousy and 
ill-will between them and the Company’s officers in his service. 

# * * # * 


(6)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 7th April 1840, Nos. 22 and 23, 

Political Department. 


Read —the following paper :— 

No. 22. From Lieutenant-Colonel T. MACLEAN, Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated Trivandrum, 17th March 1840, No. 25. 

With reference to the correspondence which has taken place relative to in¬ 
creased allowances to the European officers of the Nayar Brigade, I have the honour 
to state that shortly after my arrival at this place, I took an opportunity to bring 
the subject to the notice of His Highness the Rajah of Travancore, and His 
Highness has been pleased to decide that the whole of the officers of the brigade, 
local as well as the others, should be placed on an equal footing with respect to 
pay and allowances; that each in his rank shall be paid at rates corresponding 
with those of the same grade in the regular army stationed upwards of 200 miles 
from the presidency, and further that the allowances shall be those of the rank 
which the officer holds in the brigade. Major Campbell, although only of the rank 
of Captain in the Honourable Company’s service, will have the full allowances of a 
Major commanding a regiment, and Captains and Subalterns the full batta of 
their rank, with the allowance for commanding companies. This decision gives to 
Major Campbell an increase of Rs. 157-8-9 per mensem, to the local Captains 
Rs. 52-6-4, and to the local Lieutenants Rs. 91-14-3. 

2. Should this arrangement meet the approval of the Right Honourable the 
Governor in Council, it can be carried into immediate effect. I beg to be honored 
with orders on the subject. 


No. 23. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council is not aware of any 
objection to the arrangements proposed by His Highness the Rajah of Travancore 
for equalizing the allowances of the officers holding local rank in the Nayar 
Brigade with those of officers of similar grades in the Honourable Company’s army. 


(7)— Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 5 th May 
1840, No. 3, Political Department. 

***** 


2. Adverting to paragraphs 2 to 4 of that despatch,* we beg to state that 

His Highness the Rajah of Travancore 
has decided upon equalizing the allow¬ 
ances of the officers holding local rank 
in the Nayar Brigade with those of officers of similar grades in the Honourable 
Company’s army. 


* Despatch to the Court, dated 11th Feb¬ 
ruary 1840, No. 1. 






51 


('8 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 16th March 1841, Nos. 12 and 

13, Political Department. 


Read —the following paper :— 

No. 12. From T. H. MADDOCK, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, to 
R. CLERK, Esq., Secretary to the Government of Fort St. George, 


dated Fort William, 15th 

Resolution of Government, dated 10th 
August 1840. 

Paras. 3 to 9 inclusive of despatch from the 
Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 30th 
September 1840, No. 30. 

Resolution of Government, dated 15th Feb¬ 
ruary 1841. 


February 1841, No. 499. 

I am directed by the Governor- 
General in Council to transmit, for the 
information and orders of the Right 
Honourable the Governor in Council, the 
accompanying copies of documents mar¬ 
ginally noted, relative to the pay and 
allowances of Military officers of the 
Madras establishment in the service of 
Native States. 


Read again paragraphs 2 to 12 of the Honourable the Court’s despatch of the 5th January- 

1838 in the Political Department (No. 1 of 1838), relative to the pay and allowances 
of the officers of the Company in the service of His Highness the Nizam. 

Read again letter of Mr. Secretary Prinsep to Mr. Secretary Maddock, dated 7th August 

1839 (No. 1 of Governor-General’s Consultation of 28th October 1839). 

Read again note by Mr. Secretary Prinsep, dated 25th July. 

Read again letter of Mr. Secretary Maddock, dated 28th October 1839. 


Resolution. 

The Right Honourable the Governor-General in Council having now had the opportunity of 
considering the (private) correspondence referred to in Mr. Maddock’s letter above recorded, 
observes— 

That, in the opinion of His Lordship in Council, the Government can make no claim upon 
His Highness the Nizam for the extra pay or subsistence which has heretofore been paid by the 
Honourable Company to its officers, but for service in His Highness the Nizam’s army ; and that 
the same principle will apply to the armies of other powers. 

His Lordship in Council further observes that His Highness the Nizam pays the full pay 
and allowances of the rank in which the officers respectively are serving, which is all that he 
should be called upon for, but the rule under which the pay or subsistence of the rank held by 
such officers in the army of the East India Company has heretofore been paid and charged in 
the Military Department of the several presidencies, has been now established for more than ten 
years, and although this rule is not strictly in conformity with the orders received from the 
Honourable the Court of Directors in 1829 and the deviation from those orders having, by some 
accident, never been specially reported |to the Court, has not received its sanction, still the 
officers who made their election for transfer to these services did so under the assurance of the 
double pay held out by the rule, and to deprive them now seems to the Right Honourable the 
Governor-General in Council to be a hardship, the Honourable the Court have not been 
sufficiently aware of. 

The Right Honourable the Governor-General in Council, therefore, resolves that officers here¬ 
after transferred to the service of Native Princes may be brought under the new rule ordered by 
the Honourable Court, that is, should receive in all cases the pay and allowances of the rank in 
which they may be serving, the subsistence or bare pay of their rank in the Company’s service 
being paid by the British Government and refunded in account by the Native Princes. His 
Lordship in Council further resolves that the subject of the case of incumbents drawing, under 
previous rules, the double pay be again referred to the Honourable Court by the next mail. 

Ordered that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Military Department for information 
and guidance. 


Extract from a letter from the Honourable the Court of Directors, under date, the 3 0th September 

1840, No. 30. 

3. The Madras Government has transmitted to us memorials which have been addressed to 
it by three officers serving under the Rajah of Travancore, Major Campbell, Captain Logan and 
Assistant Surgeon Eaton, requesting that the order under which they have been prevented from 





drawing their net pay from the Company (in addition to their allowances from the Travancore 
Government) may be rescinded on the ground that the rule has never been applied to Company’s 
officers attached to the Nizam’s army. 

4. The terms of our General Despatch of 18th February 1829, certainly included all Com¬ 
pany’s officers employed under Native Princes whether in a Military or in a Civil capacity, and 
if the orders contained in that despatch had been literally executed, the officers of the Nizam’s 
army would have ceased to receive the double subsistence allowance. They would have con¬ 
tinued to draw their net pay from our Government, but for this we should have been reimbursed 
by the Nizam, and a deduction of equal amount would have been made by the Nizam from the 
allowances which he paid to our officers. 

5. Your Government, however, did not put this interpretation upon our orders, but suffered 
the allowances of the Nizam’s army to remain on the footing upon which they had been placed 
by our Military letter, dated 21st May 1828, only a few months before which permitted the 
officers to receive their net pay from us in addition to their full allowances from the Nizam. 
The question, therefore, which of the two rules is henceforth to prevail is still open to reconsider¬ 
ation, and after giving our best attention to the subject, we think it advisable not to alter the 
practice which has hitherto prevailed. 

6. In order, therefore, that the benefit which we allow to be retained by an officer in the 
Nizam’s army may not be withheld from others who are similarly situated, we consent that all 
officers who are lent to Native States in a purely Military capacity may continue to draw their 
net pay (and no more) from our Government, in addition to the allowances they may receive from 
the Native State. This applies to the cases of two of the officers employed in Travancore whose 
memorials are now before us, Major Campbell and Captain Logan ; if, as we presume, these 
officers hold no other situations in the Travancore service, than those specified in the latest returns 
received from the Madras Government, namely, those of Major Commanding the Nayar Brigade 
and Captain of that brigade. 

7. Our orders, however, must continue to be strictly applied to all officers who hold under a 
Native State any employment not exclusively Military. The third therefore of the memorialists, 
Dr. Eaton, whose situation in the 'Travancore service, is that of physician to the Rajah, cannot 
continue to draw his subsistence from the Company in addition to his Travancore allowance. 
He will continue to receive his net pay from our Government, which will be reimbursed to us by 
tire Government of Travancore, a corresponding deduction being made from his Travancore 
allowances. 

8. You will intimate the above decisions to the Madras Government signifying, at the same 
time, that, in all these cases, strict attention must be paid to the principle laid down in our 
Military letter to Bengal of 21st May 1828, which directed that the officers in the service of 
native powers “should not receive allowances whether staff or regimental (exclusive of their 
“ pay or subsistence), which in the aggregate exceed the allowances of an officer of the same 
“ regimental rank similarly employed” under their respective presidencies. 

9. In case of any excess of allowance received from the Native Prince (which, however, we 
cannot anticipate) upon this principle of comparisou a proportionate deduction must be made 
from the pay issued by our Government to the officer in the receipt of such excess. 


Political Department, 
Fort William, 

The 15 th February 1841. 

Resolution. 

Read paragraphs 3 to 10 of letter from Honourable Court of Directors, dated 30th September 
1840, No. 30, relative to the pay and allowance of certain Military officers of the Madias 
establishment in the service of Native States. 

Read again a letter to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 6th March 1839, No. 12, 
and its enclosures, namely, a despatch from the Resident at Lucknow, dated 22nd January 
1839, requesting to be informed what decision has been passed by the Honourable Court with 
reference to the retrenchment ordered to be enforced against him, a letter to the Secretaries to 
Governments of Madras and Bombay, dated 6th February 1839, desiring them to state what steps 
had been taken to adjust the remissions in account with the different officers, also a letter to the 
Officiating Resident at Hyderabad, dated 18th June 1838, transmitting for his opinion a copy of 
the 11th paragraph of the Honourable Court’s despatch No. 1 of 1838, and the report submitted 
by that officer, dated 15th August 1838, on the subject of demanding from such Native States as 
have the benefit of the services of British officers, reimbursement for the expense to which the 
British Government is subjected on that account. 

Read again a minute by the Governor-General, dated 7th August last, the resolution of 
Government founded thereon and the letter written to the Resident at Hyderabad, dated 10th 
idem, relative to the pay and allowances of the officers of the British Government in the service 
of Iiis Highness the Nizam. 



53 


Read again a letter from the Resident at Hyderabad, dated 11th June last, the resolution of 
Government founded thereon and the letter written in reply to the Resident, dated 10th August 
last, on the subject of the net pay and allowances claimed by Major Sutherland. 

The Right Honourable the Governor-General in Council is glad to observe that the present 
orders, so far as they refer to incumbents on the 10th of August, do not militate against the reso¬ 
lution of that date. But as the Honourable Court could not, at the date of their last despatch 
above alluded to, have received and considered the above resolution of this Government which 
was despatched to England hence on the 12th of November last, His Lordship in Council with a 
view to prevent any unnecessary agitation on the question of Military allowances, and being 
of opinion that the whole matter should receive the final and deliberate consideration of the 
Honourable Court with reference to the proceedings of this Government above cited, resolves 
that the further instructions of the Honourable Court be awaited, namely, those on the resolution 
of this Government, dated 10th August last, before any steps be taken on the question to which 
it relates. 

Ordered that copies of the despatch of the Honourable Court be forwarded to the Government 
of Madras, together with copies of the resolution now recorded, and of that of the 10th August 
last, in order that the officers of account and audit at that presidency may adjust the allowances 
of the officers of Native States under that presidency accordingly. 

(True Copies.) 

(Signed) T. H. MADDOCK, 

Secretary to the Government of India. 


No. 13. Ordered that copies of the above communication be transmitted to the 
Resident at Travancore and Cochin and the Accountant-General for information 
and guidance with reference to the Resolution of Government, dated 16th ultimo, 
and to the Military Auditor-General (through the Military Department) in refer¬ 
ence to the extract from Minutes of Consultation in this department of the 18th 
November last, No. 421. 

(9) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 
16th June 1841, No. 1, Political Department. 

* * * * * 

3. The Rajah of Travancore having determined that officers of our army 
serving with the Nayar Brigade should draw allowances equal to those to which 
they would have been entitled had they remained with their corps, the local officers 
holding rank in the brigade naturally laid claim to a similar rate of allowances ; 
and, although you very rightly considered the subject as one to be determined 
exclusively by the Rajah, we are glad to find that he has consented to equalize the 
allowances of the local officers (who are only two in number) with those of officers 
of similar rank in the Company’s army. 

* * * # * 


(10)—Gr.O., dated 14 th January 1860, Nos. 15 and 16, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 15. From the Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 10th December 1859, 
No. 112. 

I have the honour to submit copy of a letter * from Colonel Faunce, Command. 

. t ,, >. , A , k , , . , , ing the IS air Brigade, pointing out the 

* No. 115, dated 2nd instant. i ° i i • - cj ~ 1 

’ hardship that Sergeants experience on 

transfer to the brigade simply as non-effective ‘ Sergeants,’ although they may 

have been holding at the moment the rank of Sergeant-Major or Quartermaster. 

Sergeant, and Colonel Faunce alludes more especially to the case of Sergeant- 

Major Schofield of the Madras Fusiliers recently transferred. 

2. Colonel Faunce further observes, that although the services of these 

Sergeants are specially applied for to fill the appointments of Sergeant-Major or 

Quartermaster-Sergeant, the circumstance is not so noted in the G.O.G. placing 

them at the disposal of the Resident. 

P.S. —Copy of Sergeant-Major Schofield’s roll of service, &c., is forwarded, in 
case it may be required by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. 

U 





54 


Referred to the Commander-in-Chief for His Excellency’s observations. 

20 th December 1$59. 


From the Adjutant-General of the Army, to the Secretary to Government, Military 
Department, dated Fort St. George, 24th December 1859, No. 1379. 

I have the honour by order of the Commander-in-Chief to acknowledge the 
receipt of the referred letter from the Resident of Travancore and Cochin, dated 
10th December 1859, No. 112. 

2. Lieutenant-General Cullen in this communication brings to notice the hard¬ 
ship that Sergeants in the Nair Brigade experience on transfer to the brigade simply 
as Sergeants. 

3. With reference to this supposed grievance which is purely imaginary, I am 
directed to observe that the appointments of Sergeant-Major and Quartermaster- 
Sergeant in forces such as the Nair Brigade, Hyderabad Contingent, &c., are not 
made by the Commander-in-Chief, but either by Regimental Commanding Officers or 
by the Residents of Travancore and Hyderabad : His Excellency, therefore, places 
the services of men at the disposal of those functionaries, with whom it rests to 
nominate them to staff situations under their patronage. 

4. The claim of Sergeant-Major Schofield to pension in that grade cannot be 
affected by the system observed in the above particular. He will, as a matter of 
course, reckon towards pension the period he was employed as Sergeant-Major of 
the 1st Madras Fusiliers. 


Order, No. 35, dated 4th January 1860, Military. 

Communicated to the Political Department, with reference to letter from 
Resident of Travancore and Cochin, No. 112, dated 10th December 1859. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) H. MARSHALL, Colonel, 
Acting Secretary to Government. 


No, 16. Order thereon, 14th January 1860, No. 29, Political. 
Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 

(Signed) T. PYCROFT, 

Chief Secretary. 


(11)— G.O ., dated 3rd December 1863, No. 360, Political—vide Paper No. (10) 

under section II, 


(12)— G.O ., dated 6th April 1867, No. 93, Political. 

Read —the following letter:— 

No. 8. From the Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 19th March 
1867, No. 10. 

I have the honour to inform you that His Highness wishes to take the oppor¬ 
tunity of the retirement of Colonel Drury from the command of the brigade to 
reduce the command allowance. 







55 


2. A reduction was made not long ago in the brigade of one European officer 
and about 300 men, but, in consideration for existing interests, no reduction was 
proposed in the command allowance. 


3. The principles on which the present scale of pay was fixed are laid down 

v Q/i o a in an extract of Minutes of Consultation, 

Ks. 1,184-2-0. dated mh Aprn lg55 _ 


4. Tt is therein stated that “ when the pay of the Commandant was last raised 
“ in 1840, and fixed at its present rate, the allowances of the appointment were 
“ made those of a Major of Infantry having the command of his corps at a full- 
“ batta station.” 


5. It had been previously observed “ the command of the brigade up to the 
“ present time has been held by a Regimental Captain, usually with the local rank 
“ of Major, by a Brevet Major or Regimental Major, but never by an officer of 
“ higher rank.” 

6. In instituting a comparison now between the position of an officer in 
command of the brigade, and that of officers of similar standing in the army 
generally, it must be observed that full batta has been abolished, and that, under 
the irregular system, a Major is seldom likely to command his regiment. 


7. The object, therefore, formerly aimed at would now be gained by fixing a 
rate of pay that should render the command of the brigade not less eligible than 
that of the command by a Captain or Major of a wing of his regiment, and the 
new scale proposed of 1,000 rupees a month, with house-rent free, would doubtless 
effect this. 


8. It is the intention of His Highness to apply the saving, together with a 
further amount which it is proposed to obtain by various retrenchments in minor 
details, to the increase of the pay of the men—an object most desirable, with refer¬ 
ence to the present high prices of the necessaries of life. 

9. In the order above quoted, a decision was arrived by Government of not 
permitting the Commandant to hold his appointment when compelled by illness 
to proceed to Europe on sick certificate, thus placing him in a disadvantageous 
position, as compared with other officers generally, as also, I believe, with those 
similarly employed in the Nizam’s territory. I may add that this point was 
recently mooted by Colonel Drury, and, though that officer’s retirement obviated 
the necessity for a special reference on the subject, still the present seems a favour¬ 
able opportunity for suggesting the removal of an exceptional restriction, tending 
to depreciate the appointment. 


No. 9. Order thereon, 6th April 1867, No. 93. 

The Governor in Council concurs in the opinion of the Acting Resident, that, 
with reference to the reduction which has been made in the strength of the Nayar 
Brigade, the allowances of the Commandant may, with propriety, be reduced to 
Rs. 1,000 per mensem, with house-rent free. The change will take effect from the 
date on which Lieutenant-Colonel Drury may have ceased to command the brigade. 

2. The Government will be prepared to rescind the rule which debars the 
Commandant of the Nayar Brigade from retaining his appointment during absence 
in Europe on Medical certificate, should the rescission of the rule in question be 
desired by His Highness the Maharajah. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. J. ARBUTHNOT, 

Chief Secretary, 




56 


(13)— G.O., dated 1 6th November 1867, No. 310, Political. 

Head —again letter from the Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 19th 
March, and recorded in the Proceedings of the 6th April 1867, No. 93. 


No. 18. Order thereon, 16th November 1867, No. 310. 

The Governor in Council wishes to be informed, with reference to paragraph 
8 of the late Acting Resident’s letter of the 19th March last, No. 10, to what extent 
the pay of the men of the Nayar Brigade has been increased, or whether their 
position has been in any degree improved, consequent on the reduction in the 
command allowance sanctioned in the foregoing Proceedings of Government. 

2. When furnishing the information now called for, the Resident will be good 
enough to obtain from the Commanding Officer and submit, for the information 
of Government, a brief report on the organization, discipline, and efficiency of the 
brigade. 

(True Extract.) 

- (Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary, 


(14)— G.O., dated 21 st January 1868, No. 18, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 31. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Port St. George, dated Trivandrum, 4th January 
1868, No. 1-A. 


I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Proceedings of Government, 
No. 310, of the 16th November 1867, calling for information as to what extent the 
pay of the men of the Nayar Brigade has been increased or their position improved, 
consequent on the reduction in the command allowance sanctioned in the order of 
6th April last, No. 93, and directing me to obtain from the Commanding Officer a 
brief report on the organization, discipline, and efficiency of the brigade. 


2. In reply I beg to forward the enclosed report from the Commanding Officer, 

AT J J noil, at V 1 QW u P on which one or two remarks seem to 

No. 144, dated 28th November 1867. CJjlled fon 


The Nayar Brigade, it is to be remembered, does not consist of regular troops, 
but is rather a militia. They are not hutted in lines in cantonment as ordinary 
regiments, but when off duty go to their houses, and most of them are engaged in 
agricultural pursuits from which they derive returns in addition to their pay. 


3. I consider that there is no sufficient reason or excuse for the discontinuance 
of battalion drill (which omission it may be observed commenced before Major 
Maclean joined the brigade), as upon the removal of the barracks the old parade 
ground, which is within ten minutes or a quarter of an hour’s march of the present 
barracks, was still available for the purpose, and has recently been so employed on 
the resumption of the battalion drill. I learn also that company drill has been 
kept up without intermission during the whole time in question. 


4. I would further observe that some discrepancies will be foimd in Major 

* Dated 20th ultimo. No. 5209. Maclean's report as compared with these 

remarks, and beg to enclose a letter * 
from the Dewan, which will fully explain these. 


5. The reduction in the strength of the brigade, and the subsequent abolition 
of the post of Quartermaster-Serjeant, together with the recent reduction of the 
command allowance, afforded a saving of Rs. 2,258 a month, or Rs. 27,097 a year. 


6. Out of this amount Rs. 13,842 a year have been appropriated for the 
increase of the pay of Privates, Native officers, &c., of the brigade, besides some 




57 


small addition to tlie Pension fund. In the statement appended to the Dewan’s 
letter the greater part of this increase of pay bears date subsequent to the reduction 
of the command allowance, but the large item of about Rs. 8,000 a year, although 
only then permanently sanctioned, was granted as a temporary increase from June 
1866. The other items of increase, subsequent to the recent reduction of the 
command allowance, amount to Rs. 1,512 a year, and consist chiefly of augmen¬ 
tations to the pay of the Native officers, which was not increased with that of 
the men. 

7. The difference between the increase of pay alluded to and the total amount 
of the reduction has not been a saving to the Circar, for, on the reduction of the 
strength of the brigade, the police was increased by about 270 men, and the expendi¬ 
ture in that department by Rs. 17,000. This, with the additions made to the pay 
of the brigade, exceeds the saving in the reduction by Rs. 4,000 a year, and it is 
intended now to expend a further sum of about Rs. 10,000 a year for the improve¬ 
ment of the condition of the police, which is inferior to that of the brigade. 

8. I take this opportunity to state, in reference to the order of Government, 
No. 93, dated 6th April 1867, that His Highness the Maharajah has no objection 
to the rescission of the rule which debars the Commandant of the brigade from 
retaining his appointment during absence in Europe on Medical certificate, pro¬ 
vided that the Circar are not called upon to defray any extra expenditure on this 
account. 


From Major J. N. MACLEAN, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the British Resident in Travan- 
eore and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 28th November 1867, No. 144. 

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 878, dated the 25th instant, calling on 
me for a brief report on the organization, discipline, and efficiency of the Nayar Brigade, as well 
as to state what effect the measures for increase of pay for the men consequent on the reduction 
of the strength in 1863, and the recent reduction of the command allowance, has had in the 
improvement of their position and efficiency. 

2. The strength of the brigade is shown in the ‘ present state ’ attached. The men of the 
Artillery detachment are enlisted indiscriminately, whereas those of the two battalions are 
Nayars, whose services are confined to their own country. The daily requirements for guard and 
detachment duty being no less than 485 out of a strength of 1,164 men, of whom upwards of 
100 are superannuated, and incapable of performing any duty, it will be seen that the men have 
only one relief, that is, they are on duty every second day, while, in addition to their ordinary 
duties, they have frequently to perform those of a totally un-Military or even menial and 
unhealthy nature, such as cutting vegetables for the Brahmins, draining and cleaning out 
tanks, &c. 

3. Since the removal of the barracks from the old to the present site no parade ground has 
been prepared, notwithstanding repeated application to the Circar for the same; there has in 
consequence been no battalion drill for upwards of twelve months (since September 1866). 
Under these circumstances, I consider that the brigade, as a Military body, is at present in a 
very inefficient state, and that what little discipline still remains is chiefly attributable to the 
peculiarly good behaviour of the men themselves, and their attachment to the State. 

4. A reduction of one European officer and 300 men took place in 1863, yielding a saving 
to the Circar in pay aud clothing of upwards of Rs. 1,759 a month; and again, in 1867 
Rs. 192 a month was deducted from the Commandant’s pay, the whole amounting to a monthly 
saving of Rs. 1,952 per mensem, of which none was applied to the benefit of the brigade until 
July last, nearly five years subsequent to the original reduction, when an additional 8 annas 
monthly was granted to the privates only. This increase amounted to Rs. 666 a month. 

5. From the formation of the brigade till the year 1831 the pay of the men was Rs. 5 a 
month. In this year, however, it was reduced to Rs. 4|, so that the so-called increase in July 
was merely a return to the old rate of pay. The sanction for a similar increase to the higher 
grades was only received this day, making a total increase of Rs. 792 a month, thus still leaving 
a saving to the State of about Rs. 15,200 per annum, with which large surplus a great deal might 
be done towards the improvement of the position and efficiency of the Brigade. 


15 




58 


Present state of the two Battalions and Artillery. 


— 

1st and 2nd Battalions. 

Artillery. 

Subadars. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

GO 

<D 

ft 

d 

fc 

Drummers 

and Fifers. 

Sepoys. 

Jemadars. 

Havildars. 

Naigues. 

Sepoys. 

Present for duty 

10 

7 

41 

37 

33 

565 

1 

1 

2 

13 

On duty 

2 

4 

15 

19 

9 

267 


1 


10 

Recruits at drill and drill instructors ... 



2 

2 

1 

17 




1 

In hospital 

1 


2 

3 


21 




1 

Sick in quarters ... ... ... 






1 





On command 

3 

3 

13 

18 

2 

218 





On furlough 


2 

7 

1 

1 

46 





Absent 

... 

... 




1 





Prisoners 

... 





3 





Total ... 

16 

16 

80 

80 

46 

1,139 

1 

2 

2 

25 

Wanting to complete 



... 



25 





Strength ... 

16 

16 

80 

80 

46 

1,164 

1 

2 

2 

25 


(Signed) J. N. MACLEAN, Major, 

Commanding Nayar Brigade. 

i 


From the Dewan of Travancore, to the British Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 
Trivandrum, 20th December 1867, No. 

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, No. 991, dated the 16th instant, 
calling for further information in regard to the additions made to the pay of the Nayar Brigade. 

2. The accompanying account shows the particulars of the saving effected by reduction, and 
of the increase in salaries, &e., with the dates from which each item on each side had effect. The 
rates of increase are also given. 

3. It will be observed from this statement that the increase lately given to the men and 
Native officers of the brigade was subsequent to the date on which the pay of the Officer Com¬ 
manding was reduced by 192| rupees. 

4. I will now explain the apparent discrepancies between the figures as given by myself 
and the Commanding Officer to which you have drawn my attention. 

5. Major Maclean gives 666 rupees per mensem, or Rs. 7,992 per annum, as the amount of 
increase given to the men of the brigade; while my figure for this item is 10,218 rupees. 
Major Maclean is right so far as the increase given on the 1st Audy (15th July 1867) last is 
concerned (item No. 7 in the account) ; but my figure includes the following items also :— 


2.—1st Kartiga 1039—Addition of 24 men to 
(15th November 1863). the strength of the 

RS. 

c. 

c. 

brigade 

9.—1st Kartiga 1043—Increase to 83 Havil- 

108 

0 

0 

(15th November 1867). dars 

10. Do. do. Do. to the Artil¬ 

lery Fife and Drum 

62 

7 

0 

Major 

14 

21 

0 

Total ., 

185 

0 

0 

Add item No. 7 in the accompanying account. . 

666 

13 

8 


851 

13 

8 per mensem, or 10,218 per annum. 


6. "With regard to the increase in the expenditure on account of the brigade of 108 rupees, 
in consequence of the addition of 24 men to its strength, I beg leave to explain that these 
additional 24 men were entertained in the force, with the pay of two Subadars whose places 
were abolished ; but as the amount of their pay thus saved is included in the first item of the 
credit side of the enclosed account, it was of course necessary to exhibit the entertainment of the 
additional 24 men on the opposite side. 


* 









































59 


7. With reference to the total amount of increase given to the brigade alluded to in para¬ 
graph 4 of your letter under reply, I beg to state that here also the Commanding Officer confines 
himself to items 7, 8, 9 and 10 in the debit side of the account. 

8. On the whole, the saving effected in pay amounts to 27,096 rupees per annum, and the 
increase given to officers, privates, and clerks to 13,836 rupees, the difference being a saving of 
13,260 rupees per annum to the Circar. More than this amount, however, has been expended on 
behalf of the Police Department —Vide paragraph 7 of my letter, No. 4828, dated the 29th 
ultimo. 

P.8 .—And about 10,000 rupees are further required to raise the pay of the lower ranks of 
the Police, as will appear from a letter which I am preparing to send you. 


Cr. Account of saving effected by reductions in the Nayar Brigade , and of Dr. 

increase to salaries , Sfc., therein. 




RS. 

CHS. 

CASH 



RS. 

CHS. 

CASH 

1. 28th March to 

By pay saved by the 

1,510 

14 

0 

1. 12th April 

To increase to the 

40 

0 

0 

15th Nov. 

reduction of 308 



1863 (1st 

pay of the two 




1863 (16th 

men and Native 




Chittra 

Dressers attached to 




Punguni1038 

officers. 




1038). 

the brigade at 20 




to 1st Karti- 






rupees each. 




ga 1039). 





2. 15th Nov. 

To addition of 24 men 

108 

0 

0 

2. 7th Jan. 1864 

By the abolition of 

453 

9 

0 

1863 (1st 

to the strength of 




(25th Margali 

the post of one 




Kartiga 

the brigade. 




1039). 

European officer. 




1039). 





3. llch Nov. 1866 

By the abolition of 

101 

22 

0 

3. 7th Jan. 

To increase to the pay 

96 

8 

13 

(27th Alpasi 

the post of Quarter- 




1864 (25th 

of two European 




1042). 

master-Serjeant 




Margali 

officers, (a) 




Bourke. 




1039). 





4. 10th May 

By the reduction of 

192 

14 

0 

4. 11th Feb. 

To the appointment 

15 

0 

0 

1867 (29th 

the pay of the 




1865 (1st 

of a clerk in the 




Chittra 

Officer Command- 




Mausi 

brigade stores. 




1042). 

ing. 




1040). 

5. 15th Nov. 

To increase to pay of 

50 

25 

o 









2,258 

3 

0 

1866 (1st 

Serjeant-Major P. 









Kartiga 

1042). 

Schofield. 









6. 21st Nov. 

To increase to pay of 

50 

25 

0 






1866 (7th 

clerks, &c., in the 









Kartiga 

1042). 

brigade. 









7. 15 th July 

To increase of pay to 

666 

13 

8 






1867 (1st 

1,307 Naigues and 









Audi 1042). 

Privates—N aignes 
at 17i chs. and Pri¬ 
vates at 14 chs. 









8. 15 th Nov. 

To increase of pay to 

49 

0 

0 






1867 (1st 

33 Subadars and 









Kartiga 

J emadars—Suba- 









1043). 

dars at 2 rupees 
and Jemadars at 1 










rupee. 









9. Do. ... 

To increase of pay to 

62 

7 

0 







83 Havildars at 21 
chs. each. 

* 








10. Do. ... 

To increase of pay to 

14 

21 

0 







27 Naigues, Artil¬ 
lery men, Fife and 






1,153 

16 

0 


Drum Majors, (b) 





Per mensem ... 

1,104 

15 

0 


Total ... 

1,153 

16 

5 


(a) One at Rs. 50, and the other Rs. 46-8-13. 

(b) Artillery Naigues at 17J chs. Privates at 14 obs. Fife and Drum Majors at 14 chs. 

Hoozzoor, (Signed) T. MADAVA ROW, 

‘20th December 1867. Dewan, 


No. 32. Order thereon, 21st January 1868, No. 18. 

Ordered to lie over. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary. 





















60 


(15)— G.O., dated 24<th March 1869, No. 91, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 77. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 11th February 
1869, No. 14. 

Referring to paragraph 2 of the Proceedings of the Madras Government, 
No. 93, dated 6th April 1867, I have the honour to state, for the information of 
Government, that His Highness the Maharajah has no objection to the Officer 
Commanding the Nair Brigade retaining his appointment during his absence on 
leave to Europe, provided the full complement of European officers in the brigade 
(three) be not diminished during such absence, and that the Sirkar be not called 
upon to incur any additional expenditure by the arrangement either on account 
of the absentee or the substitute that may be sent in his room. 


No. 78. From the Controller of Military Accounts, to the Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Fort St. George, 13th March 1869, D. 


In reply to your memorandum 
Major 640-14-6 


■ = Rs. 320-7-3. 


of 12th March 1869, I have the honour to 
state that Major Maclean and Captain 
Davidson of the Nair Brigade will, during 
their absence on leave in England under 
the Furlough Regulations of 1868, draw 50 
= Rs. 187-0-6. P er cent, of the Staff Corps pay of their 
rank, which will be debitable to the public 
account. 

2. Any staff salary to which the above officers may be entitled will be drawn 
under arrangement with the Travancore State. 


Captain 374-1-0 


3. Referring to paragraph 2 of your memorandum, I have the honour to report 
that the regimental pay and allowances of an officer of the Hyderabad Contingent, 
while on leave of absence, are debited to this Presidency, and he receives a moiety 
of his staff salary, as allowed by rule, from the Contingent. His locum tenens 
draws the remaining moiety of staff salary and his regimental pay and allowances 
from the Contingent. 


No. 79. Order thereon, 24th March 1869, No. 91. 

With reference to the letter above recorded, His Excellency the Governor in 
Council directs that the Resident be requested to communicate to His Highness 
the Maharajah of Travancore that Major Sussex Lennox has been selected to act 
as Major Commanding the Nair Brigade during the absence of Major Maclean on 
leave, with the full allowances of that command less 180 rupees, which will be 
disbursed to Major Maclean. 

2. Under this arrangement no additional expense will be imposed on the 
Travancore Sirkar by Major Maclean retaining his appointment while on leave. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary . 







61 


(16)— G.O ., dated 10 th February 1870, No. 417, Military. 

Read— the following papers :— 

No. 172. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Peermade, 13th December 
1869, No. 106. 

From Captain Drury, to the Officer Com- ' . 1 honour to enclose the 

. roanding JNair Brigade, dated 8th December original communications* noted for the 
1869, with enclosure. orders of Government. Captain A. 

From the Officer in charge, Nair Brigade, to Drury of the Madras Staff Corps, now 
Resident, No. 239, dated 9th December 1869. acting in the Nair Brigade, draws Rs. 

* To be returned. 437-0-9 monthly. 

On the 26th of this month he becomes a Major and entitled to Rs. 640, if 
out of employ, from the British Government. 

From G.O., No. 3, dated 5th January 1869, he infers that he cannot resign, 
but must, from the date of his promotion, draw the difference between his pay 
and the higher rate from the British Government. 

The question seems to turn on the appointment Captain Drury holds being 
considered, quoad British allowance, Civil or Military. 

I solicit an authoritative ruling at an early date to prevent possible loss to 
Captain Drury. 


Referred to the Controller of Military Accounts for early report. 

6th January 1870. 


No. 173. From the Controller of Military Accounts, to the Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated 8th January 1870, A. 


In returning the documents, as per margin, referred for the report of this 

department under docket memorandum, 
Letter No. 105, dated 15th December 1869, dated 6th current, I have the honour to 
trom the xtesident m lravaucore and Boehm, , rm- * 

with three enclosures. observe that the retention of Major A. 

Drury s services m his present rank 
with the Nair Brigade is not so much a question of account between the Military 
and Civil Departments as of the expediency of disbursing to an officer serving a 
Native State a portion of his pay from the Public Treasury. 


2. I understand that the emoluments of British Officers serving in the Nair 
Brigade are a charge to the Travancore State, which would probably object to 
disburse the pay of a Major to an officer holding an appointment hitherto filled 
efficiently by a Captain; and the services of an officer in this latter rank would 
doubtless be applied for in order to avoid the increased charge. 


3. This would, in fact, be the usual course to be pursued in such a case, 
and, under ordinary circumstances, such an application would meet with ready 
compliance; it being at once desirable and equitable that the State, to which the 
services of British officers are lent, should not pay for more than its requirements 
in this respect, but still should bear the whole cost of officers whose services are 
entirely withdrawn from their own Government for the time being. 


4. The request submitted in the papers under report is at variance with this 


principle : as understood by this depar 


KS. A., p. 

640 14 6 
437 0 9 


Difference 203 13 9 


tment, it is a question whether this Govern¬ 
ment will permit Major Drury to retain 
his present appointment in the Nair 
Brigade, making good to him the differ¬ 
ence between the pay drawn by him in 
the Nair Brigade and that of Major in 
the Staff Corps, viz., Rs. 203-13-9 per 
mensem. 


16 






62 


5. But however unadvisable it may appear to adopt such a course as a general 
rule, certain circumstances connected with present Army organization seem to point 
to the expediency of an exceptional departure from established usage when the 
advantages of deviating therefrom are plain either in a military or financial point 
of view. 

6. It may thus be found in the case under report that it would cause incon¬ 
venience to provide an officer of the rank of Captain to relieve Major Drury, whose 
return to the Presidency would add another Major to the list of those employed 
on general duty. 

7. The cost to the State will be the same whether Major Drury be relieved 
by a Captain or remain in his present appointment drawing the difference of pay 
between Captain and Major from this Government. 


Transferred to the Military Department. 

Fort St. George, (Signed) H. E. STOKES, 

8th January 1870. Under Secretary. 


•No. 174. From the Adjutant-General, to the Secretary to Government, Mili¬ 
tary Department, dated Fort St. George, 14th January 1870, No. 36. 

With reference to your memorandum of the 13th instant, I have the honour, 
by order of the Commander-in-Ohief, to state for the information of the Right 
Honourable the Governor in Council that the services of Major Alexander Drury 
of the Staff Corps are not required for Military duty. 


No. 175. Order thereon, 10th February 1870, No. 417. 

As His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has signified his inability to pro¬ 
vide Military employment for Major A. Drury, at present employed as Second in 
Command in the Nayar Brigade, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council 
resolves to permit him to continue to hold that appointment until such time as his 
services are required for Army duty. 

2. Under the provisions of G.O.G.G., dated 24th December 1868, published 
in Fort St. George Gazette No. 3 of 1869, the difference between his Military 
pay and his allowances drawn from the Travancore Government will be debited to 
the Military Department. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. T. WILDE, Colonel, 

Secretary to Government. 


(17)— G.O., dated 28 th June 1872, No. 249, Political. 


Read —the following letter:— 

No. 24. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Peermade, 22nd May 1872, 
No. 56. 


I have the honour to report that Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean, Commanding 
the Nayar Brigade, Trivandrum, obtained three months’ general leave early this year 
from His Highness the Maharajah of Travancore, and availed himself thereof on 
the 6th March 1872. 


2. In February Colonel Maclean wrote to me pointing out certain difficulties 
, 1Q ,, that presented themselves to him in 

February LVth. the application of a recent order of the 






63 


Governor-General in Council to the case of the Nayar Brigade Officers. I replied 
M , iq , that I did not believe the order had effect 

arC 1 ‘ with respect to the Nair Brigade, and that 

the rules hitherto in force with reference to the brigade should continue to be acted 
upon unless objection, of which I was unaware, existed. 

3. Captain Hay had taken charge of the brigade meantime, and early in April 
. c j wrote to me requesting that the Sirkar 

r might be moved to pay him acting com¬ 

mand allowance from the 6th March (the date of Colonel Maclean’s departure) at 
the rate of Rs. 179-8-9 per mensem, which amount he stated “ was in accordance 
with precedent as per memorandum annexed :— 


p. 


Total pay of Officer Commanding Nayar Brigade ... 1,000 0 0 

Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean’s pay as Major in Travan- 

core Nayar Brigade ... ... ... ... 640 14 6 


2) 359 1 6 

Acting half-staff allowance ... ... ... ... 179 8 9 ” 


The arrangement seemed (and seems) to me quite correct. I addressed the Sirkar 
as usual, and pay has been passed to Captain Hay accordingly. 

4. Colonel Maclean objects to the arrangement, maintaining apparently that 
Captain Hay is entitled to a half-staff allowance of Rs. 86 only. Under the arrange¬ 
ment above said in paragraph 3, Colonel Maclean points out that he is deprived of 
more than the whole of his staff allowance. He will draw Rs. (1,000 —179 - 8 - 9 =) 
820-7-3. 

5. The question seems to turn on whether Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean is to be 
considered a Colonel or Major in His Highness the Maharajah’s service ? In other 
words what part of the fixed allowance of the Officer Commanding the Nair 
Brigade, viz., Rs. 1,000, is to be considered staff salary. 

Now, certainly the command of the brigade has been usually considered a 
Captain’s or Major’s appointment, and an allowance of half the difference between 
a Major’s pay and the command allowance has been given to officers acting during 
leave of the Commandant, though the Commandant may have been a Lieutenant- 
Colonel in the Madras Army. I believe no ‘ Neet ’ (Commission) has ever been 
given by the Maharajah above the rank of Major. In these circumstances, I con¬ 
ceive the officer acting as Commandant during the Commandant’s leave may fairly 
claim half-staff allowance, calculating the staff allowance as the difference between 
a Major’s pay and the Commandant’s fixed pay of Rs. 1,000, and that the officer 
taking the leave must submit to receive the lower salary during the leave granted 
for his benefit, as the Sirkar cannot be expected to incur increased expenditure in 
making good the difference. 

6. I solicit the orders of Government on the subject. 

I beg to take the opportunity of remarking that I know His Highness the 
Maharajah is averse to incur increased expense to the State in connexion with the 
salaries of the officers of the brigade. I am bound to say that Colonel Maclean has 
seemed in a chronic state of discontent at the Commandant’s allowances, which 
certainly contrast very unfavourably with a Lieutenant-Colonel’s command allow¬ 
ances elsewhere. But if an officer of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel cannot consider 
himself sufficiently remunerated with the Commandant’s allowances as they now 
stand, it seems to me the only way to avoid the continuance of such a state of 
feeling, the existence of which is very undesirable on public as well as on private 
grounds, is to make the command of the brigade terminable on a Commandant’s 
being promoted from Majority. 


No. 25. Order thereon, 28th June 1872, No. 249. 

The Right Honourable the Governor in Council concurs in opinion with the 
Resident that the ‘ Neet ’ (Commission) of a Lieu tenant-Colonel in the service of 






64 


the Maharajah of Travancore not having been held by Colonel Maclean, that officer’s 
allowances, during his absence on general leave, were correctly adjusted by the 
admission to him of pay as Major only (Rs. 640-14-6) and a moiety of the 
difference between that sum and the consolidated salary (Rs. 1,000) of the Com¬ 
mandant, Nayar Brigade, the remainder (Rs. 179-8-9) being the proper allowance 
of the officer temporarily in command of the brigade. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary to Govt. 


(18)— G.O., dated 2 6th March 1874, No. 134, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 72. From G. A. BALLARD, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Honorable D. F. CARMICHAEL, Acting Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 26th February 
1874, No. 22. 

I have the honour to submit, for the consideration and orders of Government, 
. a letter * from the Commanding Officer, 

* In original, dated 19th instant for return. Nayar Brigade, suggesting that, with the 

approval of Government, it be put to the Maharajah of Travancore whether His 
Highness may not be pleased to raise the pay of the Battalion officers of the Nayar 
Brigade by Rs. 50 a month and free quarters in consideration of the duties required 
of them. 

2. Major Bloomfield also suggests that the pay of the Medical officer of 
the brigade be raised by Rs. 50, i.e., from Rs. 500 per month to Rs. 550 per month. 

3. The Battalion officers are Commissioned officers of the Madras Army. The 
Medical officer is not in the British service. 


f Captain Davidson. 
Captain Goatling. 


From Major A. F. F. BLOOMFIELD, Commanding Nayar Brigade, Trivandrum, to G. A. 

BALLARD, Esq., British Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 19th 

February 1874. 

I beg to bring to your notice that the two officers commanding regiments, and the Medical 
officer attached to the Nayar Brigade are, I believe, the only European officers attached to the 
Travancore State who neither draw house-rent nor are provided with free quarters. 

2. The pay (500 rupees per mensem) of these officers t is very small considering the responsi¬ 
bility and work that must attend on the com¬ 
mand of a regiment 700 strong. Besides the 
command of their regiments, these officers have 

to do all the staff duties of the brigade, one as Quartermaster, and the other as Staff officer to 
the brigade and Paymaster of British pensioners ; the former officer has also the charge of the 
Artillery attached to the brigade. I need hardly point out that to conduct all these duties 
properly involves a considerable amount of labour, very much more, I believe, than any 
Officer Commanding a Native Infantry regiment has, who has several officers to assist him. 

3. I venture, therefore, to do myself the honour to request you may be pleased to move the 
Madras Government to sanction it being put to His Highness the Maharajah of Travancore, 
whether His Highness would not be pleased to increase the pay of those Officers Commanding 
regiments by 50 rupees a month and free quarters. 

4. These officers have out of their pay to find writers and stationery, and the Staff officer has 
to keep an extra clerk to keep up the British pensioners’ books, so that he does not draw as much 
as a Wing Subaltern of a Native regiment by about 2 rupees, the Quartermaster receives clear 
483 rupees, or eight more than a Wing officer, for looking after eight companies of a regiment, 
one of artillery with four guns, and the clothing stores and ammunition of the whole brigade. 

5. I am under the impression tho Government of His Highness the Maharajah will not be 
adverse to the increase. 

6. The Medical officer for Ike charge of 1,500 men of all ranks draws 500 rupees per 
mensem. I would respectfully solicit his pay being raised to Rs. 550. This officer already has a 
house of his own. 

7. In conclusion, I would beg to state that, during a service of twenty-four years, I have 
never been in so expensive a station as Trivandrum. 





65 


No. 73. Order thereon, 26th March 1874, No. 134. 

The rates of pay of the two European officers attached to the Nayar Brigade 
having been carefully considered and fixed when the strength of the force was 
reduced in 1863, the Governor in Council is of opinion that, in order to justify his 
recommending any increase to the officers in question and to the Medical officer in 
charge, it ought to be shown clearly that circumstances have changed. This the 
Resident is invited to do. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(19)— G.O., dated 30 th June 1874, No. 262, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 49. From G. A. BALLARD, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Honourable D. F. CARMICHAEL, Acting Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Peermade, 29th April 1874, 
No. 39. 


From Resident to Government, No. 22, dated 
26th February 1874. 

G.O., No. 134, dated 26th March 1874. 


Adverting to the correspondence noted I have the honour to forward copy of 

a letter, dated 11th instant, from Major 
Bloomfield further giving his reasons for 
recommending increase to the pay of the 
European officers attached to the Nayar 
Brigade. He points out that prices have risen greatly, that house-rent is high, and 
that politically it is desirable the appointments should be made more attractive to 
secure the services of officers of a better stamp than those contented to remain on 
the present allowances. 

2. That prices have risen at Trivandrum as elsewhere all over India is 
notorious. The arguments for increase of pay on that score cannot be applied only 
to the European officers of the brigade, but have a much wider range over which 
it is simply financially impossible to act upon them. 

3. That there is any difficulty in obtaining officers competent to discharge the 
duties devolving on the European officers of the brigade at the present salaries 
I have no reason to think ; indeed, the officers now attached to the brigade under 
Major Bloomfield’s very efficient command would seem to afford proof positive to 
the contrary. 


4. The house-rent of two officers in question is about Rs. 50 a month. 

5. I believe His Highness the Maharajah would be prepared to allow an extra 
Rs. 50 per mensem, or a free house, to the two officers (the commanding officer, 
Nayar Brigade, has a free house already), if some additions to their allowances is 
thought desirable. 

6. But I understand that the Circar is not prepared to regard further increase 
favourably. 


From Major A. BLOOMFIELD, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to G. A. BALLARD, Esq., 
British Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated. Trivandrum, 11th April 1874. 

With reference to Proceedings of Government, No. 134, dated 26th March 1874, Political 
Department, I have the honour to point out, for the information of Government, that every article 
of daily consumption, such as bread, rice, gram, oil, salt, and meat, has increased greatly in price ; 
meat alone is double the price it was when the pay of the officers was last settled in 1863. 
Servants’ wages have increased thirty to forty per cent. ; a cooly formerly received 3 chuckrums, 
now he receives 6 and 7 chuckrums ; carpenters’ and bricklayers’ wages were 5 to 8 chuckrums, 
now they get 12 and 15. Cadjans for roofing cost double what they did. 

2. The lowest rent of any house here is 50 rupees a month ; 35 is what would be paid by a 
Wing officer in another station. 

3. I would respectfully point out that it might poli ically he more convenient to have these 
appointments made more attractive and thereby securing a different stamp of officer for service 
in a Native State than one who would be contented to remain here on a staff pay of 2 rupees a 

17 




66 


month simply because the appointments have hitherto been considered little more than sinecures ; 
moreover, I would think that it is advisable for officers holding 1 the rank these do in native 
estimation should be in a position to more than keep (if I may he permitted to use the expression) 
body and soul together; they should be properly mounted, their uniforms should be kept up to 
the mark, and a general smartness apparent. 

4. Towards this state of things a person who has never had the melancholy experience of 
living on 500 rupees a month can hardly judge what a short way that sum goes in Travancore. 

5. Formerly the brigade officers had an allowance of oil and fish; but, as living became 
more expensive, these indulgences were removed and the pay of the Officer Commanding the 
brigade reduced by 250 rupees a month. 


No. 50. Order thereon, 30th June 1874, No. 262. 

The Commander-in-Chief has recently informed the Government that His 
Excellency experiences at present considerable difficulty in filling up regimental 
appointments properly tenable by officers of and below the rank of Captain, and 
is, therefore, not in a position to meet requisitions from Government for junior 
officers for ordinary miscellaneous employment. 

2. The command of the two battalions of the Nayar Brigade falls within this 
category, and it becomes necessary, therefore, that the Resident in Travancore 
should invite the consideration of His Highness the Maharajah to the question of 
the future rank, and with it, necessarily, the allowances of the two junior European 
officers of the Nayar Brigade. 

3. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council is of opinion that the 
position in the Nayar Brigade of the Commandant of a battalion would be more 
fittingly and appropriately held by a Major than by an officer of inferior rank, and, 
but for its association with the question of higher allowances, would have earlier 
submitted the point for the consideration of the Travancore Circar. Now, how¬ 
ever, that junior officers are not available, and Majors must be employed, His 
Excellency in Council has the less hesitation in recommending that each battalion 
should, for the future, be commanded by an officer having the rank of Major. 

4. Should this proposition meet with the approval of His Highness, His 
Lordship in Council would further suggest that the allowances of the Major- 
Commandants of battalions be fixed, prospectively, from date of the Maharajah’s 
approval, at their Staff corps pay of rank, viz., Rs. 640-14-6, and free quarters, 
or a grant of Rs. 50 per mensem in lieu—the pay of the Officer Commanding 
the brigade remaining, as at present, Rs. 1,000 a month with a free house. 

5. The Resident will make the necessary communication to the Circar on this 
subject and acquaint the Government with the result. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(20)— G.O., dated 25 th July 1874, No. 313, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 57. From Major A. F. F. BLOOMFIELD, Acting Resident in Travancore 
and Cochin, to the Honourable D. F. CARMICHAEL, Acting Chief 
Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 18th 
July 1874, No. 330. 

I have the honour to acknowledgereceipt of the order of Government, No. 262, 
dated 30th June 1874, and would beg for instructions as to how it will affect the 
present incumbents, both of whom are Captains; inconvenience might accrue if, 
when settling that, for the future, only Majors are to hold these appointments, it is 
not known how Captains Macneill and Gostling are to be dealt with. 

2. I may bring to notice that if Captain Macneill continues to hold his ap¬ 
pointment here, he must, be senior officer in the brigade, whatever rank the next 




67 


officer appointed may hold ; any unpleasantness on this score could be obviated 
by granting local rank to Captain Macneill, an officer of considerable standing 
(15 years). 

3. I will give every attention to paragraph 4 of the order of Government; 
but I would most respectfully inform Government, that I know beforehand that 
His Highness the Maharajah is very adverse to increase of expenditure on account 
of the brigade. 

4. I would also bring to notice another view of the matter in case no local 
promotion and no change was made in Captain Macneill’s pay. The next officer 

appointed is a Major, who must draw 
Rs. 690-14-6; * he would be drawing 
for exactly the same work 140 rupees 
a month more than Captain Macneill, although junior of the two in the brigade. 


* Major’s pay Rs. 640-14-6. 
House-rent Rs. 50. 


No. 58. Order thereon, 25th July 1874, No. 313. 

No change is proposed regarding Captains Macneill and Gostling, until they 
become Majors, when they would draw Major’s pay and the allowance of 50 rupees 
as house-rent. 

2. Seniority in the brigade will* be regulated as hitherto. It is not intended 
that Captain Macneill shall receive the local rank of Major or an officer of that 
grade being brought into the brigade. 

3. With reference to the Acting Resident’s concluding observation, the Gov¬ 
ernor in Council remarks that the case of two officers doing exactly the same 
duty but receiving different rates of pay according to their army rank is no 
extraordinary occurrence. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(21)— G.O., dated 22 nd August 1874, No. 348, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 20. From Major A. F. F. BLOOMFIELD, Officiating Resident in Travancore 
and Cochin, to the Honourable D. F. CARMICHAEL, Acting Chief 
Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Cochin, 1st 
August 1874, No. 81. 

With reference to G.O., No. 262, dated 30th June 1874, I have the honour to 
state that having placed before the Government of His Highness the Maharajah 
of Travancore the wishes expressed in the order of the Madras Government, under 
acknowledgment, that for the future Majors only should be appointed to the com¬ 
mand of battalions in the Nayar Brigade, the Dewan, by orders of his Highness, has 
addressed me on the subject, to the effect that as the status and emoluments of 
the Commandant and officers of the brigade were only lately fixed, after due 
consideration and discussion, His Highness is very unwilling to reopen the sub- 

AT ,o A A i. A O A/r i, t 0-7,1 J ect > and according to Government 

No. 134, dated 24th March 1874. J order ma ^nally-noted, it appears the 

Madras Government had been also of the same opinion. The Dewan also states, 
as the state of the army is such that no officers of less rank than a Major can be 
spared, His Highness has no alternative but to allow sometimes the command of a 
battalion of the brigade being held for short periods by a Major on a consolidated 
pay of Rs. 690-14-6, inclusive of house-rent, on the understanding that when 
Captains or Lieutenants become available, they shall be posted to the commands in 
question. His Highness being quite content to have Lieutenants in command of 
the regiment, if Captains are not available. 




68 


2. I am pointing out that the Government order quoted hardly bears the 
interpretation put upon it by His Highness’ Government, viz., that the status and 
emoluments were lately fixed and determined by the said Government order, which 
merely says that the rates of pay had been fixed in 1863, and that to justify any 
increase it was necessary to show clearly that circumstances had altered, and which 
the Resident was invited to do. 


No. 21. Order thereon, 22nd August 1874, No. 348. 

Recorded. An officer under the rank of Major is not available on the present 
occasion. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(22)— G.O., dated 26th September 1876, No. 616, Political. 

Read —the following Proceedings of the Madras Government, dated 13th September 

1876, No. 4613, Military. 

Bead —the following papers :— 

No. 186. From A. MacGREGOR, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Honourable W. HUDLESTON, Chief Secretary to Government, 
Fort St. George, dated Courtallum, 18th August 1876, No. 58. 

I have the honour to inform you that a question has arisen as to Major David¬ 
son’s pay from the date of his being relieved from his Military duties at Bellary to 
the date of his assuming command of the Nayar Brigade. 

2. Hitherto the practice has been for pay to be disbursed by His Highness’ 
Government to officers of the brigade only from the date of their joining. 

3. Now, however, the Controller of Military Accounts declines to pass Major 
Davidson’s pay for the period in question, and refers to a circular under the head 
of Pensions and Gratuities, dated May 13th, 1875, No. 739, in which it is ruled that 
the salary of an officer transferred for service under a Native State shall be borne 
by the Native State from the date on which he is relieved from his duty under the 
British Government. 

4. I drew the Dewan’s attention to this, and I forward copy of his reply. 

5. He urges that this does not embrace the case in question, and that the 
case of officers employed in the brigade has been from the first peculiar. 

6. I observe from G.O., 6th July 1872, No. 2193, Military Department, that 
it was decided to recommend special exemption from contribution towards the 
pensions of officers of the brigade, owing to the somewhat exceptional circumstances 
under which they are employed; and the same considerations appear to apply to 
the present case. 


From M.R.Ry. A. SASHIAH SASTRIAR Avargal, Dewan, to A. MacGREGOR, Esq., British 
Resident of Travancore, &c., Ac., &c., dated Trivandrum, 9th August 1876, No. 3531—R 
1256. 


I have the honour to acknowledge your letter, No. 503, dated 21st ultimo, and beg to be 
permitted to say in reply that the officers of the brigade do not in my humble opinion fall in the 
class contemplated in.the notification quoted, which is founded on the Civil Pension Code, and 
which I think is applicable only to those officers towards whose pension during service in a Native 
„ x, .. I. t", xt hi j j w v ■>£.»«> State a contribution has to be made to the 

To do. from do. „ 1606, „ 20th April „ -British Government. Vtde correspondence 

noted in the margin. Neither His Highness* 
Government, nor the officers themselves, contribute towards their pension. The object of the 
notification quoted is just to fix the date from which such contribution shall take effect when the 
contribution itself is made, and it seems to me that the notification cannot be applicable to 
the salary itself when there is no contribution at all for pension under the rule. 





69 


3. The position of the officers of the brigade has been from the beginning peculiar in 
respect of their appointment and allowances, and I humbly think this point should be allowed to 
govern the present case and all future ones of the kind. 


No. 1300. 

Referred to the Military Department for consideration and disposal with refer¬ 
ence to the Proceedings in that department, dated the 6th July 1872, Nos. 131 
to 133. 


28th August 1876. 


(Signed) W. HUDLESTON, 

Chief Secretary. 


No. 187. With report from the Controller of Military Accounts , 11th Sept. 1876, D. 


No. 188. Oeder thebeon, 13th September 1876, No. 4613, Military. 

The Controller of Military Accounts reports that he has instructed the Pay 

Examiner to admit Major Davidson’s pay 
Military Dept. No. 531, dated 11th Feb. 1873. up to the date of assumption of appoint¬ 
ment in the Nayar Brigade. This is 
approved, with reference to Proceedings of Government, Political Department, 
No. 55, dated 5th February 1873. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. MICHAEL, Colonel, 

Secretary to Government. 


Ordeb thereon, 26th September 1876, No. 616, Political. 
Communicated to the Resident, Travancore and Cochin. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) W. HUDLESTON, 

Chief Secretary. 


(23)— G.O ., dated 24 th February 1881, No. 101, Political—Vide paper No. 13 
under section II. 


(24)— G.O., dated 24 th December 1892, No. 1408, Financial. 

Read —the following papers:— 

G.O., dated 30th June 1892, No. 410, Political. 


Read— the following papers :— 

Telegram from the Adjutant-General, Madras Army, to the Secretary to 
Government, Military Department, dated Ootacamund, 11th June 1892, 
No. 0-463. 

Reference Proceedings, Madras Government, 3365, of 25th ultimo. Presume 
free passage will be granted to selected officer. Please wire reply. 


18 









70 


Telegram from the Adjutant-General, Madras Army, to the Secretary to 
Government, Military Department, dated Ootacamund, 21st June 1892, 
No. 0-496. 

Please reply my telegram, 0-463, eleventh instant, regarding free passage 
being granted officer selected for appointment, Nayar Brigade. 


From Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. THOMAS, Controller of Military Accounts, to 
the Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated Madras, 24tn 
June 1892, No. G-578. 

In returning Military Department memorandum No. 3763, dated 13th instant, 
I have the honour to state that the question as to the title of the officer who may 
be selected for the Nayar Brigade, to free passage on joining his appointment, 
is one apparently for the Civil Department to decide, as he is not entitled to a 
passage warrant from the Military Department —vide Article 513, Army Regula¬ 
tions, India, Volume X, Part II. 


Copy of telegram from the Resident in Travancore, dated 30th June 1892- 
Sircar will not pay travelling expenses officer joining Nayar Brigade. 


Order —dated 30th June 1892, No. 410, Political. 

The Resident’s telegram will be communicated to the Military Department 
with reference to endorsement, dated 27th June 1892, No. 4036. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


From Brigadier-General H. P. PEARSON, c.b., Adjutant-General, Madras 
Army, to the Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated 
Ootacamund, 6th July 1892, No. 0-1701 (Appointments—Special). 

With reference to your telegram, No. 4167 of 2nd instant, notifying that the 
Travancore Government refuse to pay the travelling expenses, when joining appoint¬ 
ment, of the British officer whose services have, at their own request, been placed 
at their disposal for duty with the Nayar Brigade, I am desired by the Commander- 
in-Chief to point out that, had this case arisen in the British Army in India, existing 
orders would have ensured to the officer in question passage at Government 
expense. 

2. I am desired to convey His Excellency’s opinion that in such cases as Native 
States, presumably in their own interests, apply for the services of British officers, 
they be required to comply, as regards payment of the travelling expenses on 
joining of these officers, with the regulations which in the British service govern 
such questions. 

3. Sir James Dormer trusts that this suggestion may meet with the favourable 
consideration of Government, and, if approved, that the decision arrived at may be 
communicated to the various Sircars in the Madras Presidency. 


No. 4441, Military. 

Retransmitted with a request to be informed to what extent it is wished that 
the regulations which govern the payment of travelling expenses in the British 
service should be extended to the British officers of the Indian Army and Staff 
Corps. 







71 


2. The provisions of Proceedings of Government, No. 5354 of 23rd August 
1890, are applicable to both British and Indian services, and if it is His Excellency’3 
wish that Native States should adopt a similar procedure as regards officers joining 
appointments under them, the matter will be taken into consideration. 

Ootacamund, (Signed) H. R. HOPE, Brigadier-General, 

18 th July 1892. Secretary to Government. 


From Brigadier-General H. P. PEARSON, c.b., Adjutant-General, Madras 
Army, to the Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated 
Ootacamund, 26th July 1892, No. 0-1892 (Appointments-Special). 

In returning herewith your No. 4141 of 18th instant, I am desired by the 
Commander-in-Ohief to say that the proposal contained in my No. 0-1701 of 6th 
idem appears to have been misunderstood. 

2. I am to inform you that it was not intended in my letter above quoted to 
raise any question of the extension of the regulations governing the payment of 
travelling expenses in the British service to the British officers of the Indian Army 
and Staff Corps. 

3. What His Excellency desired was that in such instances as Native States 
applied for the services of British officers, such Native States should pay their 
travelling expenses on joining in the same manner and to the same extent as 
passages are granted in like cases to officers (whether of the British or Indian 
service) by the British Government and as suggested in paragraph 2 of your memo¬ 
randum under reply. 


No. 4834, Military. 

Transferred to the Political Department. 

2. An officer in military employ transferred to a Civil department is not 
entitled to passage warrant to enable him to join his civil appointment—see Army 
Regulations, India, Yolume X, Part II, paragraph 513. 

3. It is believed, however, that such officer is entitled to some travelling allow¬ 
ance under Civil Regulations. 

4. A copy of Proceedings of Government, No. 5354, dated 23rd August 1899, 
quoted by this department in its endorsement, No. 4441, dated 18th July 1892, to 
the Adjutant-General, is herewith forwarded, 

(By order.) 

Ootacamund, (Signed) H. R. HOPE, Brigadier-General, 

3 rd August 1892. Secretary to Government , 


Endorsement by the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 10th August 1892, 
No. 1322, Political, 


From J. C, HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 16th August 1892, 
Ref. onC. No. 1129. 

With reference to endorsement (herewith returned), No. 1322, dated 10th 
August 1892, I have the honour to state that the Dewan of Travancore in his letter 
No. 360S-M 1525, dated 13th August 1890, and demi-official of the 30th June 1892, 





72 


copies of which I enclose, declines to pay the travelling expenses of the officers 
appointed to the Nayar Brigade. 

2. The Military authorities correctly object to pay the expenses of an officer 
transferred to a Civil department or on promotion to higher pay. 

3. Under Article 1295 of the Civil Service Regulations it appears to me 
that the officer’s travelling allowance may be granted and paid in the Political 
Department. 

4. In the present instance it may not be advisable to press the Native State 
to pay the expenses of an officer lent to the Nayar Brigade at their request, but in 
all future cases I consider it would be well to establish the rule. 


Enclosures. 

From the Dewan of Travancore, to the Acting British Resident of Travancore, dated Trivan¬ 
drum, 13th August 1890, No. 3608-M 1525. 

I have the honour to acknowledge your letter No. 1748, dated the 4th instant, forwarding 
copy of one from the Pay Examiner, Military Accounts Department, requiring payment of 
Bs. 68-8-0 into the Residency Treasury on account of the passage for Colonel Brereton and 
his servants from Cannanore to Alleppy. 

2. In reply, I beg to state that the records of this office disclose no previous instance of 
this Government having paid the joining allowance of any officer appointed to the command of 
the Nayar Brigade. 


Demi-official from the Dewan of Travancore, to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, 

dated 30th June 1892. 

I beg to acknowledge your note of yesterday. His Highness’ Government does not pay 
the expenses of an officer appointed to the Nayar Brigade in travelling from his station to join 
his appointment —vide my letter to Mr. Grigg, No. M 1525, dated J3th August 1890. 


Endorsement by the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 1st September 1892, 

No. 1400, Political. 


Prom T. W. RAWLINS, Esq., Accountant-General, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, dated Port St. George, 12th September 1892, No. 2724. 

With reference to your endorsement No. 1400, dated the 1st September 1892, 
I have the honour to state that Article 1295 of the Civil Service Regulations will 
cover a debit to grant ‘ 25. Political ’ of the travelling expenses of officers trans¬ 
ferred to appointments under Government in the Political Department, but not of 
the expenses of officers lent to the Nayar Brigade of the Travancore State. 

2. Under Rule 39 ( d ), Chapter 35 of the Civil Account Code, the allowances 
including the travelling allowances of an officer transferred to foreign service, should 
be paid by the Foreign State from the date on which he is relieved from his duty 
under the British Government. 

3. The Resident in Travancore and Cochin has, however, brought to the notice 
of this office that the above rule has been set aside in the case of officers of the Nayar 
Brigade by G.O., No. 4613, Military Department, dated 13th September 1876, in 
which sanction was accorded to the payment in the Military Department of the pay 
of Major Davidson up to the date of his assumption of his appointment in the Nayar 
Brigade. 


Endorsement by the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 19th September 1892, 

No. 1492, Political. 







73 


Endorsement by the Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated 22nd 
September 1892, No. 5949. 


No. G-1033. 

Returned as requested. 

2. From Proceedings of Government, No. 4613, dated 13th September 1876, 
and correspondence connected therewith, it would appear that officers of the Nayar 
Brigade, being situated differently from officers lent to other Foreign States, are 
treated exceptionally and allowed to draw their salaries in the Military Department 
up to date of assumption of their duties with the Nayar Brigade. 

3. If the reason for this peculiarity still exists, and the officers are to be paid 
their salaries in the Military Department as above pointed out, then under the 
principle involved in Article 1294, Civil Service Regulations, the travelling allow¬ 
ances of such officers to date of joining their appointments should also be borne by 
the Military Department. I would, however, suggest that the question be referred 
to the Government of India for a definite decision, as no reference appears to have 
been made to that Government in 1876, when the local ruling regarding the adjust¬ 
ment of salaries was given, and there do not appear to be special grounds for 
treating appointments connected with the Nayar Brigade exceptionally. 

(Signed) G. W. SAWYER, Lieutenant-Colonel, 

for Controller of Military Accounts. 


No. 7610, Military. 

Transferred to the Political Department with reference to endorsement No. 
1492, dated 19th September 1892, with the request that the point raised be 
referred to the Government of India for a definite decision as suggested by the 
Controller of Military Accounts. 

Fort St. George, (Signed) H. R. HOPE, Brigadier-General, 

30 th November 1892. Secretary to Government. 


Order— dated 24th December 1892, No. 1408, Financial. 

As it is considered that there is no justification for the practice said to have 
prevailed hitherto, the Government is not prepared to address the Government of 
India, in the sense suggested in the endorsement in the Military Department, but 
the Resident will be requested in the Political Department to move the Travancore 
Administration to accept in future the debit of the salary of an officer transferred 
for service in the Nayar Brigade with effect from the date of his relief from British 
duties. On the present occasion the Military Department will bear the charge 
under the Proceedings of the Madras Government, No. 4613, dated 13th September 
1876, as the Travancore Government is not prepared to accept it. 

(True Extract.) 


(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary . 


19 




74 


(25)— G.O., dated 1 6th August 1895, No. 543, Political. 


Read —the following papers :— 

From H. B. GRIGG, Esq., m.a., c.i.e., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Cochin, 15th March 1895, 
C. No. 16. 

As the command of the Nayar Brigade will probably become vacant in October 
next by the succession of Colonel Brereton to Colonel’s allowances, I beg to submit 
the following matters for the consideration and orders of Government, before any 
selection is made for the future command. 

2. The questions that, I think, require immediate determination are four— 

(a) The status of the British officers employed in the brigade. 

(5) The army rank of the officer holding the office of Commandant. 

(c) The pay and allowances of the Commandant. 

(d) The length of time the command should ordinarily be held. 


quarter. 


3. In the Army List, the Nayar Brigade * is the only purely military force 

1 ^ 7-7 A n t XI. V . . 10nK „ . which is treated as civil. I am not aware 
‘Pages 177 A-C of the list for 1895, first £ ,i £ , ,• ,i r , ,i 

K ’ of the reasons for so treating the little army 

of His Highness the Maharajah—which is 

officered by officers of the Madras Army—in this way, whilst the British officers 

who serve with the native troops of Hyderabad and Mysore are regarded, I 

believe, as in military employment. This cannot, I take it, be because the officers 

serving in Travancore are under the general control of a Political officer, because 

the Hyderabad Contingent at least is more directly under the control of the Resident 

than the Nayar Brigade. Of course if this classification were merely nominal it 

might not matter, but I understand that it may place them at disadvantage in 

respect to their status as military officers and their claims to promotion as such. 

Holding that it is a matter of much importance in the interests of the brigade and 

of the British influence in the State that the officers employed in the brigade 

should feel that they are still on really military duty and that their work in the 

brigade will count towards promotion in the Army to which they belong, I trust 

that they may be spared the feeling that they have left their regiments for an 

easier life with better pay. I would strongly urge that, if it be possible, employment 

in the brigade may in future be regarded as military, and that officers serving in it 

may have the assurance that they are doing military duty in the full sense of the 

term. I know that the work of the brigade is very different from that of a Madras 

regiment, but I see no reason why, after the Indian Army is reorganized, one 

battalion at least of the brigade should not be so organized as to be worthy of 

inclusion among the Imperial troops of Native States. The difficulty of the change 

is slight, because, as the Government are aware, the essential condition of the 

Imperial troops system is fulfilled, for the appointment of officers rests in reality 

with the Chief of the State so far as Native officers are concerned, and nominally 

so as regards British officers. If this change is gradually to be brought about, 

it is essential that the ‘ Civil ’ classification should be abandoned. I would add 

that I believe that the change to 4 Civil ’ was made a few years ago when Colonel 

Ketchen commanded the brigade, but I have not been able to trace any order on 

the subject. 


4. Passing to the next point, I would draw attention to G.O., No. 93, of 6th 
April 1867, approving the proposal to fix the pay of the Commandant at Rs. 1,000. 
That figure was especially recommended by Mr. Atholl MacGregor in view of 
securing the services of a Captain or Major for the appointment. I presume that, 
in arriving at this decision, Mr. MacGregor among other things took into con¬ 
sideration the inexpediency of appointing senior field officers to the command and 
also of encouraging junior officers to hold on to the command for an undue length 
of time. This view is one which I strongly hold. For political as well as military 
reasons I think it undesirable, whilst fully acknowledging the good service which 
was done for the brigade by Colonel Ketchen and by his successor, Colonel Brereton, 


75 


that this appointment should be given to a senior officer who has no further 
promotion to look forward to in the army, because the pay—which, as stated here¬ 
after, His Highness’ Darbar are not prepared materially to increase—is not ade¬ 
quate for a senior officer even though it be, as now, enhanced by Rs. 200 a month 
for the charge of the Body Guard; and the result is that after a while such officers 
grow discontented with their allowances, whilst clinging to the command—a state of 
things which experience has shown is unsatisfactory from nearly every point of 
view even if, as undoubtedly has been the case as regards the last two Commanders, 
it does not lessen their zeal and industry in the performance of their duties. 

5. I am fully alive to the fact that the Commandant ranks next to the Resi¬ 
dent and has military rank in Travancore of a Brigadier-General, not excluding 
Quilon; but it seems to me better that such a high position should be held by a 
junior officer who is adequately paid than by a senior who is not. But my chief 
contention is that, speaking generally, the efficiency of the brigade is more likely 
to be secured by an officer who has promotion in the army to look forward to than 
by an officer who has not. I would therefore advise that G.O., dated 6th July 
1872, No. 2193, Military, be modified to the effect that the command should 
ordinarily be held by an officer of the rank of Captain or Major, and 1 would 
add a further depending modification that the command of a battalion should 
not be held by an officer whose rank is above that of a Captain. This latter 
modification would correspond with the existing practice. 

6. The next point relates to the pay and allowances of the Commandant. In 
the order already quoted, this salary was fixed at Rs. 1,000 with a free house. 
During the command of Colonel Ketchen, however, to this was added Rs, 200 a 
month for the charge of the Body Guard. In G.O., No. 265, dated 31st August 
1871, the Government declined to consider the above substantive salary. The 
Commandant also draws compensation allowance. So that his salary and emolu¬ 
ments may be taken as Rs. 1,350 approximately. 

Now, taking the Cavalry allowance as equivalent to the Station Command 
allowance, the present pay, leaving the free house out of account, is only slightly 
over that of a Captain commanding a regiment, which 1 believe is Rs. 374-1-6 
pay of rank plus Rs. 600 staff pay, or Rs. 974-1-6 against Rs. 1,000, whilst it is 
Rs. 240-14-0 less than pay plus staff allowance of a Major in command. It comes 
then simply to this that except a free house the command of the brigade offers no 
inducements except those of a free house and a dignified and pleasant service 
position even to a Senior Captain who is efficient enough to deserve the command 
of a regiment, whilst it offers less than nothing to a Major, unless the position may 
be considered as equivalent to the loss of Rs. 240 monthly. 

In the present position of promotion in the Madras Army this, I take it, implies 
that no one above the rank of Captain is likely to take the brigade unless he is quite 
out of the line for military promotion. But this seems to me eminently undesirable. 

7. What, therefore, I would propose is that His Highness’ Government should 
be formally invited to consent to pay to the Commandant, excluding Station 
Command allowance, the salary and staff allowance the officer would receive if in 
command of a Madras Infantry regiment. 

I believe His Highness’ Government would rather not change the present 
system as they do not care that the salary should fluctuate with each succeeding 
Commandant, but I believe that they recognize that it may not always be con¬ 
venient to make a selection subject to the limit of Rs. 1,000, and I believe they 
would be willing, in exceptional cases, to allow Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 in addition for 
a time on the advice of the Madras Government. 

8. With every desire that the wishes of His Highness the Maharajah’s Govern¬ 
ment should be met, I am decidedly of opinion that in the matter of the salary of 
the Commandant they should be advised to fall in with a system of pay which 
will best enable the British Government to place at the disposal of the Darbar an 
efficient officer of suitable rank, which, as already stated, I take to be that of a 
Major or Captain, but preferably the former—other things being equal—the Darbar 
having expressed no desire for the service of any particular officer of the lower 
rank. 


76 


There would be a slight saving to the Sirkar when the command was held by 
a Captain, so that probably on the average the cost of the appointment to them 
would be about Rs. 200 a month higher than at present. I cannot but think that, 
if the position were fully explained to them, they would be prepared to meet the 
wishes of the Madras Government and to bring their military force into more 
intimate relations with the Madras Army. In this connection I would invite 
the attention of the Government to G.O., dated 13th February 1878, No. 91. 

9. As regards the time for which the command may be held I propose to fix 
it at seven years, which is, I believe, the period for which the command of a 
regiment may be held, and subject to the same privileges regarding taking leave 
as Officers Commanding have. In fact, I would, as far as practicable, and with 
every consideration for the wishes of the Darbar, make conditions of tenure the 
same as those of the command of a Madras regiment. 

10. In the matter of leave I believe that the rule referred to in G.O., para¬ 
graph 2, of the 6th April 1867, No. 93, still prevails, as I have not traced an order 
cancelling the rule requiring the Commandant to vacate on proceeding on leave 
on medical certificate. But if this rule still holds, I advocate its recision on the 
several grounds above stated. 


From Lieutenant-General C. M. CLARKE, Commanding the Forces, Madras, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Ootacamund, 1st June 1895, 
No. 2953-0. 

I have considered the proposals put forward in the enclosed correspondence 
in connection with the appointment of a Commandant for the Nayar Brigade in 
__ _ , . , _ __ succession to Colonel Brereton who 

, *G-£0 Po! oil’ vacates on the 10th October 1895,* 
April 1895 together with the previous correspond¬ 

ence on the subject, and am of opinion 
that the present rules governing the appointment of British officers to the brigade 
appear to answer all purposes under existing conditions. 

2. I am ignorant of the intentions of the Government of India as to the 
development of these so-called troops into an efficient force, but so long as the 
__ __ present constitution of the Nayar Brigade 

De P artmen *- No ' 207 ' dj,ted remains unaltered, I am of opinion that 
30th March 1894. employment t therein cannot be con- 

sidered as military duty entitling officers serving therewith to retention on the 
rolls of their regiments, &c. 


From J. THOMSON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 23rd July 1895, Ref. 
on C. No. 2153 of 1895. 

I have the honour to submit the statement’of information regarding Com¬ 
mandants of the Nayar Brigade which is called for in memorandum, No. 1503, 
Political Department, dated 28th June last. 

2. This statement has been drawn up in the Brigade office and is reported to 
be gathered from unauthenticated records. There is no means of checking it in 
this office. 


Endt. No. 1778. 

Forwarded to the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces, Madras, with 
the request that he will be so good as to cause column 5 of the statement forwarded 
with the Resident’s letter to be filled up. 

Ootacamund, (Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

1st August 1895. Chief Secretary. 





77 


From the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces, Madras, dated Ootacamund, 

9th August 1895, No. 4243-0. 

Vide statement under section VIIL 


Order —dated 16th August 1895, No. 543, Political. 

In view of the opinion of the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces, 
Madras, and of the past history of the Nayar Brigade, His Excellency the Gov¬ 
ernor in Council considers that no change in the position of the Commandant is 
called for. 

2. The following telegram will be despatched to the Government of India, 
Foreign Department:— 

“498. Colonel Brereton vacates appointment, Commandant, Nayar Brigade, 
Travancore, 10th October 1895. Please arrange for services officer to succeed 
him being placed disposal this Government.” 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


(26)— G.O., dated 31sr October 1895, No. 728, Political. 

Telephonic message from the Chief Secretary to Government, to the Lieutenant- 
General Commanding the Forces, dated 4th October 1895. 

Please see paragraph 2 of letter from Resident, Travancore, dated 15th March 
1895, printed in Political Order, 16th August 1895, No. 543. Can you inform me 
under what orders the appointments in the Nayar Brigade are treated as civil 
appointments. 


Telephonic message from the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces, 
Madras, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 9th October 1895. 

0-1208, dated 9th October 1895. 

Your telephone of the 5th instant. Can trace no order of Government, but 
Military officers employed with Nayar Brigade have always been regarded as in 
permanent civil employ, because their services for employment with it are not given 
for a limited period as in the case of officers referred to in Rule 3 to Article 42-E, 
Civil Service Regulations, who under Article 280, Volume I, Part I, are retained on 
the rolls of their regiments during extra regimental employ. In this connection 
please refer to case of Surgeon-Captain Thomson printed in Political Department 
order No. 471, dated 18th July 1895, and that of Lieutenant Boome granted leave 
by Political Department (G.O., No. R-99 of 29th April 1895), Fort St. George 
Gazette , 7th May 1895. 


Order —No. 728 Mis., Political, dated 31st October 1895. 

Recorded. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J, F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


20 







78 


IV —SELECTION OF MILITARY OFFICERS 
IN THE BRIGADE. 


FOR EMPLOYMENT 


(1 )—Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 5th 
November 1884, No. 4, Political Department. 

* * * * * 

7. The first return made to the Supreme Government of the Europeans and 
East Indians in the service of the Rajah of Travancore occasioned several remarks by 
the Governor-General, to whom, in consequence, you transmitted the explanations 
of Major Cadogan and of the Acting Military Auditor-General. We do not observe 
that any notice was subsequently taken by the Supreme Government of these 
explanations. Those which relate to the case of Captain Faris are satisfactory. 

8. With regard to Mr. Staig, Lieutenant in the Rajah’s service, his appoint¬ 
ment was at variance with our orders of the 21st May 1828 in the Military 
Department to Bengal, since Mr. Staig does not hold a commission in our own 
service. Those orders, however, appear not to have been known to Major Cadogan. 
As that officer considers Mr. Staig’s services in disciplining the Nayar Brigade to 
be highly important, and as his allowances amount only to Rs. 200 per month, 
we shall not enforce our orders in Mr. Staig’s case. We desire, however, that 
those orders be not hereafter departed from without our previous sanction. 

***** 

11. We further direct that all appointments of British subjects to offices 
under any Native Government connected with your presidency be regularly reported 
to us in your general letters with the reasons for making such appointments, and 
any circumstances which can enable us to judge of their necessity or expediency. 
The half-yearly returns only apprise us of the appointments made and of the 
salaries annexed to them, but throw no sufficient light upon the grounds on which 
they are made. 

12. We do not include in these orders appointment to situations of a private 
or menial kind, but only to such as are strictly of a public nature. 


Translation of a Neet issued to Captain Campbell. 

It being my pleasure to promote you, who command the Nayar Brigade, which 
has been raised for the protection of the forts, palaces, &c., in my country, to the 
rank of Major, and to increase your pay from one thousand to one thousand and 
fifty rupees per mensem, and to promote the senior Lieutenant Daly and Lieute¬ 
nant Sheridan to the rank of Captain and increase their pay from three hundred to 
four hundred rupees to each in consideration of the attention they have shown to 
their duties during these seventeen years, I promote you accordingly to the rank 
of Major from the 21st Chittray (1st May 1836) and allow you an increase of fifty 
rupees to your present pay ; you will do the duties of Major in the brigade accord¬ 
ingly receiving a pay of one thousand and fifty rupees a month. 

Although Lieutenants Daly and Sheridan have been promoted to the rank of 
Captain, you will direct them to continue doing the same duties as they have 
hitherto done. 

31 st Chittray 1011, 

(11 th May 1836). 





79 


Translation of a Neet issued to Lieutenant Sheridan. 

As it is now seventeen years since you were appointed as Lieutenant in the 
Nayar Brigade which has been raised for the protection of the forts, palaces, &c., 
in my country, and as you have been, during the above period, diligent in the per¬ 
formance of the duties thereof, I promote you to the rank of Captain from the 21st 
Chittray (1st May 1836) and increase your pay from three hundred to four hundred 
rupees per mensem; you will receive a pay of four hundred rupees accordingly and 
do the duties of Captain in the brigade. 

Although you have been promoted to the rank of Captain you will continue 
doing the same duties as you have hitherto done. 

31 st Chittray 1011, 

(11 th May 1836). 


Translation of a Neet issued to Lieutenant Daly. 

As it is now seventeen years since you were appointed as senior Lieutenant in 
the Nayar Brigade, which has been raised for the protection of the forts, palaces, 
&c., in my country, and as you have been, during the above period, diligent in the 
performance of the duties thereof, I promote you to the rank of Captain from the 
21st Chittray (1st May 1836) and increase your pay from three hundred to four 
hundred rupees per mensem ; you will receive a pay of four hundred rupees 
accordingly and do the duties of Captain in the brigade. 

Although you have been promoted to the rank of Captain you will continue 
doing the same duties as you have hitherto done. 

31 st Chittray 1011, 

(11 th May 1836). 


(2 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 12 th June 1838, Nos. 1 and 

2, Political Department. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 1. From J. S. FRASER, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Cochin, 12th 
March 1838, No. 18. 

I regret to have to report to you, for the information of the Government of 
Fort St. George, that Lieutenant Faikney of the Bombay Military establishment 
(Captain in the Travancore Nayar Brigade) died at Trivandrum on the 10th instant 
of paralysis. 

2. It has been customary, I believe, for the Resident in Travancore to recom¬ 
mend the officers selected for this service, and this was at all events done without 
any exception on the first establishment of the brigade by Colonel Munro. 

3. I have myself no person in view whom I would wish to bring to the notice 
of Government, and would therefore again beg to leave it to the Madras Govern¬ 
ment itself to select an officer, as I did at the period of the late Captain Sheridan’s 
death. 

4. But with reference to the peculiarity of the duties to be performed, and to 
the fact that the whole responsibility for the discipline and well-being of the 
brigade rests exclusively with the Commanding Officer Major Campbell, it may 
perhaps be deemed most conducive to the interests of the public service that the 
selection be allowed to rest with this officer on the present occasion, his recom¬ 
mendation being of course subject to the sanction of the British Government. 


No. 2. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council is fully satisfied that Major 
Campbell would not recommend the employment of an unfit person, but, deeming 
it important that the selection of officers for employment in Native States should 





80 


continue as at present with the Government, His Lordship proposes at an early 
date to place the services of an officer at the disposal of the Travancore Govern¬ 
ment, with a view to his being employed with the Nayar Brigade, vice Lieutenant 
Faikney deceased. 


(3 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 31si March 1840, Nos. 51 and 

52, Political Department. 


Bead— the following letter:— 

No. 51. From the Resident, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. 

George, dated Trivandrum, 22nd February 1840, No. 19. 

1 take the liberty to bring to the notice of the Right Honourable the Governor 
in Council, that there is a vacancy in the Travancore Nayar Brigade for a local 
officer in the junior rank, and it is the wish of His Highness the Rajah to have the 
situation filled up. 

2. There is a young gentleman, with whose family and connections I have been 
long and intimately acquainted, a candidate for the appointment. His name is 
Eugine De Lasselle, age 19. He has been well educated, and is, I believe, well 
qualified for the appointment. He is, I am told, an excellent Tamil scholar, which 
is a great recommendation, as he would have no difficulty in acquiring the Malaya- 
lam language, which is that of the men of the Travancore Nayar Brigade. I have 
taken upon myself to submit Mr. De Lasselld’s name as a candidate for the vacant 
local commission in the Nayar Brigade to the Rajah, and His Highness will be 
glad to have that young gentleman nominated. 

3. I am aware that the appointment of local officers to the Nayar Brigade, 
requires the approval of the Honourable the Court of Directors, and as I trust that 
Mr. De Lasselle would be altogether unexceptionable, I respectfully beg to submit 
an application that His Lordship in Council may be pleased to appoint that gentle¬ 
man as Lieutenant in the Nayar Brigade, subject to the approval and confirmation 
of the Court of Directors. 

4. The European officers attached to the Nayar Brigade at present consists 
of 1 Major (a Captain in the Honourable Company’s service) Commandant, 1 
Captain (local), 1 Lieutenant (ditto). 

5. I have reason to believe that it is the intention of His Lordship in Council 
to appoint an officer from the regular army in the room of Captain Logan, but 
that would not interfere with the nomination of the local officer now applied for. 


No. 52. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council observes that under the 

orders of the Honourable the 


* Dated 5th November 1834, paras. 7 and 8. 
t Extract, Military letter to Bengal, dated 
10th April 1838, No. 38. 

Extract, Military letter to Bengal, dated 5th 
April 1839, No. 16. 


Court of 

Directors noted in the margin * and com¬ 
municated to the Resident in Travancore 
on the 21st of April 1835, as also under 
those now sent,+ he is precluded from 
sanctioning the appointment of Mr. De 
Lasselle to the Nayar Brigade. 

manner a vacancy has occurred in 
the Governor in Council will nominate 


2. On the Resident’s reporting in what 
the Nayar Brigade, the Right Honourable 
an officer of the Company’s service to fill it. 





81 


(4 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 11 th June 1844, Nos. 13 and 
14, Political Department. 

Read— the following letter:— 

No. 13. From Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident at Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated 
Travancore, 6th May 1844, No. 8. 

I have the honour to submit, for the consideration of the Most Noble the Gov¬ 
ernor in Council, the application of Lieutenant Staig as per letter annexed (a local 
officer), at present holding the situation of Quartermaster of the Nair Brigade, to 
succeed with the local rank of Captain to the command of a battalion vacated by 
the promotion and removal of Captain Davies. Lieutenant Staig has been nearly 
13 years in the Travancore service, and is an officer of approved conduct and 
character. 


The command of a battalion is the only promotion and pecuniary advantage 
that Lieutenant Staig as a local officer can ever look forward to, and His Lordship 
may perhaps, on these grounds, be disposed to receive the claim. 

I beg to add that, as a local officer, it appeared to me necessary that Lieute¬ 
nant Staig should, in the first instance, obtain the concurrence of His Highness 
the Rajah to his application, and His Highness, in acknowledging Lieutenant 
Staig’s services and claims, has particularly requested me to submit His Highness’ 
wishes on the subject for the favourable consideration of His Lordship. 

Should the Most Noble the Governor in Council receive favourably Lieutenant 
Staig’s application, then there would be the situation of Quartermaster of Brigade 
vacant, and it would be necessary to have a Subaltern officer of the Company’s 
Ar my nominated to succeed. His Lordship in Council may also perhaps consider 
it expedient in such case that the selection should not be made too high up amongst 
the list of Subalterns so as to avoid the additional charge that might possibly be 
entailed by the rank of Captain, and it may perhaps be deemed advisable that such 
appointment of Quartermaster should always be vacated on promotion to Captain 
regimentally. 

Even a Subaltern with the Brevet rank of Captain might be attended with 

inconvenient claims to the pay of Cap- 
Application was made in my letter No. 17 ^ a - w ^j 1 the Quartermaster’s staff 

“ additional allowance ol Ea. 155 to he would then draw more than 

Officers Commanding Battalions. ~ 

a Captain Commanding a Battalion, so 

that any such claim could not with propriety be admitted. A Captain Commanding 
a Battalion at present receives per month Rs. 453-1-32, a Lieutenant and Quarter¬ 
master Rs. 393-2-15. 

At the desire of Lieutenant Staig, I have the honour to transmit a memorial 
from that officer to the address of His Lordship. 


Ho. 14. Order thereon, 8th June 1844, No. 183. 

The Most Noble the Governor in Council is not aware of any objection to 
Lieutenant Staig being appointed by His Highness the Rajah of Travancore to 
command a battalion of the Nair Brigade with the local rank of Captain, and His 
Lordship will, therefore, at the suggestion of the Resident, place at his disposal a 
Subaltern officer to fill the appointment of Quartermaster to the brigade. 

2. Resolved, as recommepded in the above letter, that in future the appoint¬ 
ment of Quartermaster in the Nair Brigade when filled by an officer of the 
Honourable Company’s Service be vacated on promotion to Captain regimentally. 

(By order.) 

(Signed) E. D. DRURY, 

Chief Secretary. 

21 


i 




82 


(5)— G.O.y dated 1 7th March 1873, No. 957, Military. 
Read —the following letter:— 


No. 270. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 3rd March 
1873, No. 15. 


* Original letter from Officer Commanding 
Nair Brigade, No. 38, dated 28th ultimo, with 
enclosure, to be returned. 


I have the honour to request the 
orders of Government on the subject 
to which the enclosed correspondence * 
refers. 


2. In December last Captain Gostling, Madras Staff Corps, was gazetted 
^ ^ ,, , , , n ... “Commandant and Adjutant of the 1st 

George Gazette, dated 24th Battalion of the Nair Brigade, vice Major 

J. C. Hay.” 

As Captain Davidson, Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, was absent on leave. 
Captain Gostling on joining was placed in charge of both battalions and all the 
departments in the brigade. 


Yide Fort St. 

December 1872, page 2059. 


3. On Captain Davidson’s return a few days ago, the Commanding Officer 
entered an order in the book to the effect that Captain Davidson having returned 
from leave was to assume charge of the 2nd Battalion, Staff Office, Band and 
Pensioners, the other battalion, Quartermastership and Artillery being left to 
Captain Gostling. 

Captain Gostling demurs, affirming that he was appointed substantive Staff 
officer and not simply to act for Captain Davidson, and that therefore he cannot 
be removed by a Brigade order. 

Major Ellis maintains that the power of assigning various duties in the brigade 
lies with the Commandant. 

Hence the necessity of reference. 

4. I may observe that usually, if not invariably prior to Captain Gostling’s 
appointment, officers were gazetted simply “ to the Nair Brigade.” 

On the re-organization of the brigade, when the services of an officer were 
dispensed with, the then Commandant, Colonel Drury, would seem to have appor¬ 
tioned to the two battalion officers their respective duties. Captain Hay was 
entered in orders as Commanding the 1st Battalion and Staff officer, and Captain 
Davidson Commanding the 2nd Battalion and Quartermaster. These two officers 
have continued substantive officers; and officers gazetted to act during their 
absence have simply taken their duties pro temp. 


5. In my humble opinion, Major Ellis would have been perfectly right in the 
view he took, and I may add in the arrangement he made, had Captain Gostling 
been simply posted to the Nair Brigade. But as Captain Gostling was gazetted 
Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, the question becomes more complicated. In fact 
there is no separate “ Adjutant of the 1st Battalion,” and perhaps the circum¬ 
stances were not quite understood. 

I now request the orders of Government. 


Transferred to the Military Department for disposal. 

Fort St. George, (Signed) W. HUDLESTON, 

8th March 1873, Chief Secretary. 


No. 271. Order thereon, 17th March 1873, No. 957. 

It is observed that the Political Department should have gazetted Captain 
Gostling simply as appointed to the Nair Brigade, instead of as to the 1st Battalion 
as Commandant and Adjutant. The correction has now been made. 




83 


2. All details connected with the distribution of duties in the brigade rest 
entirely with the officer in command, and Captain Gostling ought to have accepted, 
without demur, the arrangements ordered by Major Ellis. 

(Signed) A. C. SILVER, Colonel, 

Secretary to Government. 


(6)—(7,0., dated 3Qth Jane 1874, No. 262, Political—Vide paper No. 19 

under section III. 


(7 )—G.O., dated 25 th July 1874, No. 313, Political — Vide paper No. 20 

under section III. 


(8)— G.O ., dated 22nd August 1874, No. 348, Political—Vide paper No. 21 

under section III. 


(9)— G.O., dated 13 th February 1878, No. 91, Political. 


Read —the following letter :— 

No. 40. From H. E. SULLIVAN, Esq., Acting Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 
22nd October 1877, No. 73. 


Adverting to the correspondence marginally noted, I have the honour to 

submit, for the consideration of Govern¬ 
ment, a letter, dated 17th instant, No. 
4730-1714, from the Dewan of Travan¬ 
core, in reply to my application to His 
Highness’ Government to sanction the 
higher rate of pay to which Major Thompson of the Nayar Brigade became entitled 
on attaining substantive rank as a Field officer. 


G.O., dated 30th June 1874, No. 262. 

Letter from Resident, dated 18th July 1874. 
G.O., dated 25th July 1874, No. 313. 

From Resident, dated 1st Aug. 1874, No. 81. 


2. The Circar, whilst, to meet the exigency of the moment, it accepted, as a 
temporary measure, the proposal that Majors should be employed to command 
the battalions of the Nayar Brigade in lieu of Captains or Subalterns as heretofore, 
have, from the first, deprecated such arrangement being considered permanent, as 

* -D -D 9 001 lo A tending materially to enhance the mili- 

* By Rs. 3,381-12-0 per annum. , ° * n n, . . , 

J ’ 1 tary expenditure * of the State without 

any corresponding advantage accruing thereby. It is argued that if, as would 
appear from G.O., dated 26th March 1874, No. 134, the officers in command of 
battalions were considered to be sufficiently remunerated by the rates of pay fixed 
in 1863, it is hardly fair that the Circar should be called on to pay enhanced 
salaries simply because there is a paucity of junior officers in the British army. 


3. Adverting to the concluding part of paragraph 1 of the Dewan’s letter 
enclosed, 1 have to ask the instructions of Government regarding a fresh difficulty 
which is there suggested. Up to the 4th ultimo Brevet-Major Thompson, acting 
for Captain McNeill, drew as Captain the usual allowances of about Rs. 440 -f- 50 
liouse-rent, and Captain McNeill, absent on furlough, drew the remaining moiety 
of about Rs. 60 staff allowance, and this moiety the Circar proposes to deduct 
from the enhanced salary it is called on to disburse to Major Thompson on his 
attaining substantive field rank. But Major Thompson is entitled to the full pay 






84 


of his rank, and I presume therefore that the Circar will have to pay half staff 
allowance to the permanent incumbent as well. 

4. Should the Government be disposed to view favourably the representations 
of the Circar—and junior officers are not likely to be available for employment in 
the brigade—two courses seem to be open : one, the entertainment of local officers 
as formerly, or else, if it be found necessary to appoint officers above the rank of 
Captain in the British army, that the difference of pay between the regular allow¬ 
ance of a Battalion Commander and that of the officer appointed be borne by the 
British Government. 


Enclosure No. 4. 


From M.R.Ry. N. NANOO PILLAT Avargal, Dewan of Travancore, to the Acting Resident 
in Travancore and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 17th October 1877, No. 4780—li-1714. 


In acknowledging your letter, No. 681, dated 28th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you 
that His Highness the Maharajah has been pleased to sanction the higher rate of pay to Major 
Thompson from the 4'th ultimo, the date on which he attained the substantive rank of Major, 
viz., Its. 640-14-6 plus Rs. 50 house-rent, the half staff allowance to Captain McNeill, absent, 
on furlough, being as usual payable out of that amount. 


2. With reference to letters noted in the margin, I beg to express the hope that it may 

soon be found feasible to post Captains or even 
From Resident to Diwan, No. 477, dated 27th July 1874. T/mnfprmnts tn +Tip Wtolirms of flip hrio-ndp 
To Resident from Diwan, No. 2904, dated 29th July 1874. •Lieutenants to tne Battalions 01 tne Brigade, 

so that the expenditure on account of their 
salaries may revert to the normal rate of Rs. 550 per mensem including house-rent. 

3- The allowance of Rs. 10 to Major Thompson’s English writer is also sanctioned from 
the 4th September ultimo. 


No. 41. Order thereon, 13tb February 1878, No. 91. 

The Governor in Council will always endeavour to post officers under the 
grade of Field officers to the command of the Nayar Battalions of Travancore : but 
it is obvious that exceptional cases may arise where this cannot be done, and where 
consequently the Travancore Government would have to disburse a higher rate of 
allowances. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Chief Secretary . 


(10)—(9.0., dated 22nd May 1890, No. 274, Political. 
Read —again G.O., dated 3rd May 1890, Mis. No. 233, Political. 


Order —dated 22nd May 1890, No. 274, Political. 

The following procedure in the selection of Military officers, lent to the Tra¬ 
vancore State for employment in that State, is laid down for future guidance :— 

The application from the Resident, made at the request of the Darbar, for the 
services of an officer to fill an appointment usually held by a commissioned officer 
will be transferred to the Military Department, and that department, after pro¬ 
curing the nomination of His Excellency the Governor and the concurrence of 
Members of Council, and making the necessary application to His Excellency 
the Commander-in-Chief, will place the services of the officer finally selected at 
the disposal of the Political Department by a notification in the Fort St. George' 





85 


Gazette. Orders will then issue in the Political Department placing the services 
of the selected officer at the disposal of the Resident in Travancore. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. ' 


(11)— G.O., dated 23 rd May 1890, No. 65, Political. 

Read —the following telegram from the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 22nd 
May 1890 

Will Madras gazette Colonel Brereton to brigade or leave it to Travancore 
do so. 

Order— dated 23rd May 1890, No. 65, Political. 

The following telegram will be despatched to the Resident, Travancore :— 

No. 189. Yours of 22nd. Government will not gazette Brereton’s appoint¬ 
ment to brigade. That is for Travancore to do. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 

(12)— G.O ., dated 4th March 1895, No. 150, Political. 

G.O., dated 17th May 1894, No. 319, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

From H. B. GRIGG, Esq., m.a., c.i.e., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Peermaad, 7th April 1894, 
Ref. on C. No. 1003. 

I have the honour, to forward herewith, for the favourable considera¬ 
tion of Government, an application for six months’ furlough to Europe from Lieu¬ 
tenant H. S. Ferguson, Commanding the 2nd Battalion of the Nayar Brigade, 
Travancore. He being a Lieutenant on the Reserve of officers his name is not on the 
strength of the Madras Army, but his appointment to the Brigade having been 
gazetted by Government, the grant of furlough should also, it seems to me, be 
sanctioned by the same authority as was done in 1886— vide G.O., dated 22nd 
February 1886, No. 181, Political. 

2. Usually when an officer on the strength of the Madras Army serving on 
the Brigade applies for furlough his application would go through the Adjutant- 
General, and if it is sanctioned, arrangements would be made for another Madras 
officer being appointed to act for him, the leave allowance of the absent officer 
being borne by Government. In the present instance, however, Colonel Brereton, 
Commanding the Brigade, recommends that, during Lieutenant Ferguson’s absence 
on furlough, Lieutenant Boome, Commanding the 1st Battalion, may be put in 
charge of his duties with an extra allowance of Rs. 100 per mensem, the balance, 
Rs. 450, of Mr. Ferguson’s pay being continued to him as leave allowance, which he 
cannot draw from Government, his name not being on the strength of the Madras 
Army. The Darbar sees no objection to these proposals provided that no extension 
of furlough or leave of any other kind will be applied for on the same terms and 
that the Darbar will not be called upon to pay his contingent or deferred allowances 
at any future time. I request therefore that the Government will be pleased to 
sanction the furlough applied for with effect from the 10th proximo or date of 
departure, to which date he has postponed availing himself of the leave, and to 
permit him to draw these exceptional leave allowances during such furlough. 

22 





86 


3. I beg to add that Lieutenant Ferguson’s case is a bard one since, owing to 
the peculiar circumstances in which he is placed, he could not draw any leave 
allowance from Government in 1886 when he last went on furlough and the Travan- 
core Darbar declined to bear the same, and in these exceptional circumstances I 
think the Brigade may be left with one Battalion officer during the hot and rainy 
seasons, although in G.O., dated 15th May 1885, No. 337, Political, the Government 
decided that so long as the existing organization is maintained there must be an 
English officer in command of each battalion—an arrangement which should in 
my opinion be maintained as a permanance. Lieutenant Ferguson’s position in 
the Brigade is now under correspondence and I shall in due course address the 
Government on the subject. 


Telegram from the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, to the Secretary 
to the Government of India, Foreign Department, dated 4th May 1894. 

203. Ferguson, Commanding 2nd Battalion, Nayar Brigade, Travancore, 
applies six months’ furlough Europe. Darbar proposes place Lieutenant Boome, 
Commanding 1st Battalion, in charge 2nd Battalion also with extra allowance 
Us. 100. This Government has no objection. Sanction to temporary increase 
Boome’s pay requested under Article 807, Civil Service Begulations. Please wire 
reply. 


Telegram from the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, 
Simla, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Madras, dated 12th May 1894. 

776-G. Your telegram, 4fch, number 203. Extra allowance Rs. 100 for 
Lieutenant Boome, Commanding 1st Battalion, Nayar Brigade, for additional 
charge 2nd Battalion, sanctioned. 


Order —dated 17th May 1894, No. 319, Political. 

Lieutenant Ferguson will be granted six months’ leave to Europe. 

2. The arrangements proposed in paragraph 2 of the Resident’s letter are 
approved. 

3., The following telegram will be despatched to Resident, Kottavam :— 

“231, Ferguson’s leave sanctioned and arrangements proposed paragraph 2, 
your 1003, April 7th, approved.” 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


G.O., dated 25th July 1894, No. 517, Political. 

Read—the following letter from H. B. GRIGG, Esq., m.a., q.i.e., Resident 
in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated 
Peermaad, 13th May 1894, Ref. on C. No. 1003 :— 


In continuation of my letter, dated 7th April 1894, Ref. on C. No. 1003, I have 
the honour to address the Government regarding Lieutenant Ferguson’s position in 
the Nayar Brigade. 


2, Lieutenant Ferguson was, as the Government are aware, appointed (Fort St. 
George Gazette , 7th August 1885) direct to the Brigade by Mr. Grant Duff’s Govern¬ 
ment, and joined the Brigade on 11th 


* Proceedings of Government, No. 494, 
dated 24th Jiffy 1885. Refer also Resident’s 
demi-official letters, dated July 28th and 29th 
of 1885. 


August 1885.* He had retired some 
years previously from the Royal Artillery, 
but had joined the Home Army Reserve 
in November 1880. He had served the 
Travancore Sirkar as guardian to the three younger Princes from June 1880. His 
agreement had been for five years. The terms of his agreement were Rs. BOO (with 






87 


allowances) for 2| years with an increase to Rs. 400 after that period. He was to 
receive a bonus of Its. 2,000 if his services were not required after tive years. Mr. 
Ferguson held the appointment of guardian four days after appointment to the 
Brigade. He was refused his bonus, but when he went on furlough in 1886 it 
was paid with an additional Rs. 1,000, which was supposed to make the total amount 
equivalent to half-pay. His service is regarded as temporary and as not counting 
for pension in that he received a bonus. He had under existing orders, limiting 
the Brigade and Battalion Commands to officers in the British Service, qualified 
for the appointment by having his name restored to the Army List in the capacity 
of a Lieutenant in the Reserve. 

Under the rules he is not entitled to draw any allowance, during leave, from 
the Indian or Home Government. Nor can he qualify for a pension from either 
Government so long as he continues an officer in the Brigade. His official status 
seems to me to correspond with that of an officer in the old Invalid list and con¬ 
sequently he is out of employment so far as the British Government is concerned. 

3. Nor can lie as matters stand, except as a matter of grace on the part of the 
Travancore Sirkar, with the approval of the British Government, draw any leave 
allowance, excepting privilege leave allowances and ‘ the half staff allowance ’ from 
the Sirkar treasury. His right to draw the latter even is doubtful as will appear from 
the order quoted below—should that right ever be questioned by the Darbar—as 
he is not a Captain. 

4. From the earliest days of the Brigade the Travancore Sirkar appears not to 
have been required to pay or contribute towards the pensions of British officers 
■employed by it; nor towards their furlough allowance, except the ‘ half staff 
allowance ’ already referred to. The system of paying contributions on account of 
pension on behalf of officers whose services are lent to Foreign bodies was only intro¬ 
duced in 1872. The Sirkar was then called upon to report whether it was prepared 
to pay contributions on behalf of British officers serving in Travancore. Their 
reply was as follows :—“ The Military officers and Darbar Physician (who also 
belongs to the British Army) get neither pension nor absentee allowance from His 
Highness ’ Government excepting what is called ‘ the half staff allowance ’ which 
is paid to the officers of the Brigade when they are on furlough, and which in the 
case of the Commandant is Rs. 179-8-9 and of the Captains Rs. 62-5-10. These 
officers are employed in Travancore for short periods, generally for five years ; 
when on promotion or otherwise they rejoin the British service. Their services 
are thus made available to this Government, I believe, for political reasons. His 
Highness’ Government, therefore, hopes that as such they will be considered as 
•embraced in the exception contemplated in paragraph 3 of the proceedings under 
acknowledgment and that the arrangement hitherto in force for many years will be 
continued.” 

The Government in their order * thereon said : “ The Right Honourable the 

Governor in Council, having carefully 

* 6th July 1872, No. 2193, Military. considered the subject, is of opinion that 

there are special reasons why the Indian 
Government should bear the * contingent ’ and ‘ deferred ’ remuneration of the 
officers of the Brigade. The Brigade is composed of Artillery and Infantry and 
numbers about 1,500 men. It is therefore advisable for political reasons that the 
command of so considerable a body of troops should be held by British officers and 
the Right Honourable the Governor in Council observes that it would be contrary to 
the usage of the British service that so important a command as that under notice 
should be heldby an officer under the rank of a Field officer, or the command of 
battalions by officers under the rank of Captain. It is moreover desirable, as a 
compliment to a faithful ally, that officers of suitable rank should be selected by the 
Indian Government for the command of His Highness the Maharaja’s troops. The 
duties appertaining to the command may not be of a very arduous nature, but the 
officers should be men of character, reliability and experience and worthily represent 
the Government and service to which they substantively belong.” 

These orders were apparently confirmed by the Government of India. 

5. It seems quite clear that under this order the Indian Government distinctly 
undertook to pay the leave and pension charges of effective British officers employed 


88 


in the Brigade presuming that the ‘contingent’ and ‘deferred’ allowances referred 
to indicate those charges. Consequently, the claims of a British officer employed in 
the Brigade to such allowances must depend upon his claims to such allowances in 
the service to which he belongs. Officers serving in the reserve of the British Army 
are, I believe, not entitled to such allowances ; consequently, Lieutenant Ferguson, 
unless his case is specially provided for by a new rule, is not, and cannot become, 
entitled to such allowances so long as he remains in the Nayar Brigade as an officer 
of the British service. The Darbar recognising the difficulties of Lieutenant Fer¬ 
guson’s position on the occasion of his former leave assisted him in the way already 
noticed and have, as already stated in my letter, agreed to pay his furlough allow¬ 
ances for the leave applied for now, and dealt with in that letter, but they have 
connected with this proposed concession a condition that such extraordinary 
allowance shall on no future occasion be given so long as he remains in the British 
service. The reasons for this are stated in paragraph 6 of the Diwan’s letter of the 
24th March 1894 enclosed. 

In paragraph 8, however, of that letter the Diwan states that he considers that 
some definite arrangement should be come to in regard to Lieutenant Ferguson, and 
in this view I entirely agree. He considers that if he is to be treated as a British 
officer the British Government should agree to pay his ‘contingent’ and ‘ deferred’ 
allowances. He also indicates how his Government is prepared to treat him if he 
resigns all connection with the British service at Home and in India and becomes 
purely a local officer of the Brigade under the articles of war and standing orders 
and is subject to His Highness ’ Government exclusively. Now it seems to me very 
undesirable and out of harmony with the position of the officers of the Brigade as 
laid down in the order of Government just quoted, that such an officer should be 
compelled to look to the Sirkar for leave allowances as a matter of favour. Moreover, 
whether the grant of this allowance now proposed is approved or not by the Govern¬ 
ment of India, there can be no doubt that an officer situated as Lieutenant Ferguson 
is, with no prospects of leave allowances on future occasions from the British Gov¬ 
ernment, can hardly be expected not to live in the hope that the view taken of his 
case may change and that ultimately he may be permitted to receive leave allowances 
from the Sirkar conditionally or unconditionally. This remark would also apply to 
the grant of a pension by the Sirkar ultimately, if that question were now raised 
and unfavourably viewed by the Government. 

6. Taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, I have come 
to the conclusion that it is not consistent with the public interests that Lieutenant 
Ferguson’s anomalous position should continue, but that he should be secured leave 
and pension privileges either from the British Government or from the Travancore 
Sirkar. 

7. The course which seems to me to be most consistent with the preceding 
relations of the State to the British Government in regard to the Brigade is that 
the special sanction of the Secretary of State should be obtained for granting to 
him leave allowances and pension privileges on the scale fixed for Civil officers of 
the Provincial service, as Lieutenant Ferguson is employed in a political rather 
than in a military capacity, and must be regarded as an invalided or pensioned 
officer re-employed with the permission of Government under the Civil Service 
Code in a Native State. But if such a suggestion is inadmissible, then I think the 
following solutions of the difficulty may be considered:— 

(a) That the Sirkar should be advised to grant him leave allowances and 
pension under the rules applicable to Provincial Civil servants, his status as a 
British officer appointed by the Madras Government remaining unchanged. 

(&) That, as a special case and under special conditions, he be transferred to 
the Travancore service for continued employment in the Brigade. 

8. It is true that the Order of Government of the 6th July 1872 might be held 
to apply only to officers of the Indian Army lent to the Sirkar and not to officers 
of other portions of the British Army; and there can be little doubt that when the 
Madras Government passed this order they had only the case of Indian officers in 
their mind, as the Battalion Commanders of the Brigade had hitherto been invari¬ 
ably filled, after the change in the system of appointment hereafter referred to* 


89 


by officers of the Indian Army. But the Madras Government having as a matter 
of fact treated Lieutenant Ferguson as their own officer by appointing him, he 
might perhaps be considered as in their service and lent to the State. If this view 
be held, then the Sirkar might be advised to deal specially with the case. I do not, 
however, advise the adoption, after the lapse of so long a period of time, of such a 
course of action. I think it very probable that had the Darbar, when Mr. Fergu¬ 
son was selected, been invited to grant such a concession, they would have agreed 
because they would have had to provide for him in consideration of his work 
as guardian to the Princes, and might have facilitated his appointment had the 
difficulty been represented to them. But the appointment having been made 
without ascertaining their views, they have always shown themselves very sensitive 

*-r, , i „ „-rv , , , , , in regard to it,* and would, I think, 

* Keier paragraph o oi Dxwan s letter, dated , i „ . . 

24th March 1894, above quoted. now strongly oppose any movement in 

this direction so long as Mr. Ferguson 
continues to be regarded as an officer of the British Army appointed solely by the 
Madras Government. 

9. (b) To enable the Government to consider the second solution indicated, 
I must recount briefly the history of the Brigade Command. When recommending 
in 1817 the constitution of the remnants of the old Nayar Army of Travancore as 
a Brigade under the command of a European officer, Colonel Munro advised that 
the command should be given to Captain Macleod, of the 9th Regiment, M.N.I., 
who was at that time in command of Her Highness the Rani’s escort of Cavalry 
consisting of fifty troopers. He recommended that the Commandant should either 
be appointed by the Madras Government or that his services should be placed at the 
disposal of the Resident for employment in the Brigade. Since Colonel Ketchen’s 
time the latter course has been invariably followed in regard to the officers 
of the Brigade. No order can be traced on this recommendation, but in the 
following year the Brigade was constituted as a single regiment of two battalions. 
Major Macleod held the command until 1819, when he was succeeded by Captain 
Gray, of the 80th Regiment. He continued in command until 1829, when he 
was succeeded by Major Farquarson, of His Majesty’s Royal Regiment. All the 
subsequent Commanders were British officers and seem to have belonged to the 
Madras Army, and were directly appointed by the Madras Government. Prior to 
the appointment of Colonel Ketchen in 1879 no Commandant had rank above that 
of a Major whilst there had been Captains. Under sanction, however, conveyed 
in Chief Secretary’s Political letter of the 24th May 1836, No. 164, Commanding 
officers were given the local rank of Major and Wing officers that of Captain. As 
regards the Battalion officers the information is not so precise, but there appear to 
have been three ( vide General Cullen’s letter to the Chief Secretary, No. 19, dated 
12th April 1842) for a good many years and of these certainly two were local 

officers and in the Maharaja’s service j* 
t Vide Resident s letter to the Chief Secre- anc [ no t in the British. They appear, 

?t’ ate< i« 4 o ^ ° ’ a 80 " °' ’ however, to have been recommended by 

dated 21 st January 1840. . the Resident (paragraph it. No. _ 18, of 

12th March 1838) for appointment to the Madras Government. Their position in 
relation to the Commandant and the Resident was no doubt also the same as that 
of other officers of the Brigade. General Fraser writes :—“ It has been customary, 
I believe, for the Resident in Travancore to recommend the officers selected for 

this service, and this was at all events done without any exception on the first 

establishment of the Brigade by Colonel Munro.” In the order on this letter the 
Madras Government distinctly asserted its right to select officers for the Brigade. 
The order runs :— u Deeming it important that the selection of officers for employ¬ 
ment in Native States should continue as at present with the Government, His 
Lordship proposes at an early date to place the services of an officer at the dis¬ 
posal of the Travancore Government with a view to his being employed with the 

"\T M 71 /-. ^ 4* f M L -.-1 /N 1 4 n/v/\w»n nl Z\n-M 

f Extract from Minutes of Consultation, 


Nayar Brigade.’ 4 . 


No. 215, dated 7th June 1838. 


Thus it seems clear 
that, notwithstanding probably occa¬ 
sional irregularities, the practice was for 
the Madras Government to appoint to the Battalion as well as to ttm Brigade 
Commands but, I think without doubt, until tlie order of 1872 (quoted in extenso 

23 


90 


above), it was not necessary that tbe officers in charge of the Battalion should be 
in the British service. Three officers—Lieutenants Nixon, Sheridan and Daly— 
appointed to the Brigade probably by Colonel Munro in 1819 were local officers. 
Also a Lieutenant Staig who entered the Brigade in 1831. Lieutenant Nixon was 
in the Brigade until 1834, but was never promoted to a captaincy. The other 
three officers were, which apparently implies that they commanded a battalion. 
Captain Sheridan was in the Brigade until his death in 1837, Captain Daly was 
pensioned in 1860 and Captain Haig died in 1862. All these vacancies were filled 
by British officers, so that the present system came fully into force in the last year 
named. 


10. Now the question is, whether the difficulty regarding Lieutenant Fergu¬ 
son’s furlough allowances and pension can be got over by permitting him, as a 
special case with or without resigning his position in the British Army, to become 
de facto a servant of the Travancore Sirkar, but selected for employment in the 
Brigade by the Madras Government, instead of a British officer out of employ but 
placed at the disposal of the Resident for such employment under Travancore 
Government, which, as the Government are aware, is the present system of making 
these appointments. 

Now, when Lieutenant Ferguson was selected for the Brigade he was not only 
in the British reserve but also in the Travancore service. As he accepted a bonus 
for that service that service may probably be regarded as temporary, but had he 

not done so I see no reason why he should 

* The fact that the bonus was not paid to 
him until he was about to go on furlough a 
year after his appointment, and then only as 
a way of getting over the difficulty about bis 
leave allowances, goes to show that the Darbar 
had not determined the position when he was 
appointed to the Brigade. 


not have been regarded as still in that 
service,* for his status qua the British 


Government has not, it seems to me, been 
really changed by his appointment to the 
Brigade, if that appointment is, as it 
ought according to present practice, re¬ 
garded as being made by the Maharaja, 
Lieutenant Ferguson’s services being merely placed at the disposal of the Resident 
for that purpose. In fact, whether the Madras Government appoint direct or on 
the present system, the appointment can only, strictly speaking, be regarded as an 
appointment by the Travancore Darbar, because the Brigade is not a British Gov¬ 
ernment corps but a Native Government corps conducted in accordance with the 
articles of war and standing orders sanctioned by the Travancore Government. 
The British officers serving in the Brigade are, I take it, officers of the Native State 
lent to it, and their position is unquestionably that of officers on foreign service. 
Lieutenant Ferguson is clearly not in any British service in India. His appoint¬ 
ment to the Brigade does not introduce him to any such service. Qud the British 
Indian Government, he is still an unemployed officer, it seems to me, and as an 
employed officer he is really the servant of the Travancore Government under 
special obligations incident to his selection by the Madras Government for the 
command in the Brigade. 


11. I would observe that the Madras Government when passing G.O., dated 
24th July 1885, seem to have taken this view of the case, for they simply approved 
of his appointment to the command of a battalion and it was not until Mr. 
Hannyngton pressed for his appointment by the Government that he was gazetted 
by the Madras Government to the Brigade. In fact, as Mr. Ferguson was not 
under the orders of the Madras Government at the date of his selection, but under 
the Military authorities at Home, I presume, with reference to his status as a 
member of the Army Reserve, I doubt, unless the permission of the authorities 
was previously obtained, whether the Madras Government, with reference to the 
fact that G.O., dated 6tli July 1872, No. 2193, had been approved by the Govern¬ 
ment of India, had power to appoint him to the Brigade or even to approve his 
employment in the Brigade without reference to the Government of India and to 
the Military authorities of the Reserve in England. 

12. Taking, however, all the circumstances of the case into consideration 
and the willingness of the Darbar to grant Mr. Ferguson a suitable salary and 
* contingent ’ and ‘ deferred ’ allowances, I would venture to make the following 


91 


suggestions for tlie settlement of Mr. Ferguson’s position in a way which, I think, 
should be satisfactory to all parties concerned :— 

(1) That the Gazette notification appointing him to the Brigade be can¬ 
celled, and that in its place, after obtaining the approval of the Government of 
India and the Home Military authorities, an order be passed permitting him to 
take service under Travancore in the Brigade, his status being held to be that of a 
retired military officer taking service, with the permission of his Government, in a 
Native State. 

(2) That the Darbar be invited to gazette him to the Brigade with 
retrospective effect from the date of his joining the Brigade on appointment by 
the Madras Government in 1885. Should the Government, however, think it un¬ 
desirable to rescind past orders in so formal a manner, I think His Highness’ 
Government would consent to regard Lieutenant Ferguson’s service from date of 
appointment to Brigade as local Travancore service qualifying for the furlough 
and deferred allowances if the British Government consented to this arrangement. 

(3) That on Mr. Ferguson’s ceasing to be on the Reserve on attaining fifty 
years of age in or about 1900, no objection be taken to his continuing in the 
Brigade until he has qualified for pension or until the age of sixty years. 

(4) That Mr. Ferguson as a local officer take rank after the British officer 
Commanding the First Battalion, and that he be held ineligible for the Brigade 
Command, and that he be not permitted to be in charge even temporarily without 
the express sanction of the Government of Madras. 

(5) That this arrangement be regarded as -wholly exceptional and that it 
shall in no case whatever form a precedent, the battalions being invariably in 
future commanded by officers of the Indian Army selected by the Madras Govern¬ 
ment, and placed at the disposal of the Resident for employment by the Darbar 
in the Brigade. 

Should this arrangement be carried out, I have little doubt that the Darbar 
would allow Mr. Ferguson’s service as guardian to count for pension. 

13. The Darbar in the letter forwarded have stipulated for Mr. Ferguson’s 
retirement from the Reserve as a condition precedent; but I do not see the force 
of their objection to his continuance in the Reserve, if he be regarded as a retired 
British officer employed by the permission of the British Government. This objec¬ 
tion has the less force as he was already in the Reserve when previously in their 
service as guardian. As regards the stipulation that, subject to the provisions of 
the Travancore articles of war and the standing orders, he should be exclusively 
under the orders of His Highness’ Government, I take it that such an arrangement 
is unobjectionable so long as it is qualified by the condition that his position is 
subject to the political control or supervision now exercised by the Resident over 
the Brigade; I do not anticipate, if this be the clear understanding, any difficulty 
arising from: his position as a local officer. 

Were it not that the Proceedings of the Madras Government appear to have 
had the approval by the Government of India I see no reason why the former 
Government should not allow a special deviation from their own order of 1838 
regarding the employment of local officers in the Brigade without reference to that 
Government if the employment of Lieutenant Ferguson as an officer of the Home 
Reserve in Travancore is approved by the authority to which he is subject as such. 


Enclosure. 

From the Diwan of Travancore, to the British Resident of Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 24th 

March 1894, No. 1229—M. 496. 

I have the honour to acknowledge your Reference on C. No. 677 of 1894, dated the 7th 
instant and to return its original enclosures. 

2. Lieutenant Ferguson having been appointed to the Nayar Brigade by the Madras 
Government and drawing pay from Travancore the furlough applied for has, in accordance 
with usage, to be sanctioned both by His Excellency the Right Honourable the Governor in 
Council and His Highness the Maharaja. 



92 


3. So far as this Government is concerned, His Highness has no objection to sanction the 
furlough and the arrangement proposed by Colonel Brereton as a special case in the present 
instance, provided that no extension of furlough or of any other kind of leave will be applied 
for on the terms on which the present application is conceded, and that so long as Lieutenant 
Ferguson retains his present status, His Highness’ Government will not be called upon in 
future to pay his contingent or deferred allowances. 

4. But the question of his status has to be considered and definitely decided both in the 
interests of this State and his own. 

5. You are aware that for the last forty years a British officer from the Indian Army has 
been sent to command a battalion of the Nayar Brigade whenever a vacancy occurred. His 
pay and house-rent are disbursed by the Travancore State so long as he serves in that force, 
while the British Grovernment pays his furlough and sick leave allowances and his pension, all 
except what is called the half staff allowance which is borne by His Highness’ Government 
daring furlough and which in the case of a Battalion officer amounted to Rs. 62-5-10 a month 
(vide Hiwau’s letter to Resident, No. 1606—R. 466, dated 20th April 1872). 

6. Lieutenant Ferguson was one of the officers so appointed direct by the Madras Govern¬ 
ment by notification in the Fort St. George Gazette without any application for his services 
from Travancore and without any intimation that he was appointed on terms different from 
the other officers sent to serve in the Nayar Brigade. 

7. When, however, Lieutenant Fergason applied for furlough in 1886, it transpired that, 
not being an officer of the Indian Army, he could get no leave allowance from the Madras 
Government nor any from this State, and he had to take the leave without any allowance 
whatever. 

8. It seems to me that some definite understanding should be come to regarding the 
position held by this officer. If he is to be treated as a British officer, as his appointment 
implied, the Madras Government should, as in the case of other officers, pay his lea,^e allow¬ 
ances and pension. Or he must resign all connection with the British service, whether in 
India or England, and be treated as a purely local military officer of the Brigade subject only 
to the Travancore articles of war and standing orders and to the authority of His Highness’ 
Government exclusively. In this case his increase of pay with progressive service, furlough 
and sick leave allowances and pension will be granted by the Government under their rules. 

I am commanded by His Highness the Maharaja to lay this matter before you and to seek 
the favour of your advice* 


No. 1109. 

Referred to the Military Department for favour of remarks on the Resident’s 
proposals. 

Ootacamund, (Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

4 th June 1894. Chief Secretary. 


No. 3471. 


Referred for any remarks His Excellency the 
to offer. 


Commander-in-Chief may desire 


(By order.) 


OOTACAMUND, 

6th June 1894. 


(Signed) D. J. S. McLEOD, Colonel, 

Offg. Secretary to Government. 


No. 1108-0. 

Memorandum. 

The Commander-in-Chief suggests that Political Department Notification, 
No. 10, dated 24th July 1885, be cancelled, as Mr. Ferguson is purely a local 
officer in the service of the Travancore Government and therefore as such is not 
entitled to furlough pay or any pension under Indian Military rules. 

2. The most equitable course appears to be to adopt the procedure indicated 
in second part of paragraph 8 of the Diwan’s letter. 





93 


3. At the same time it seems onty right and just to Mr. Ferguson that the 
leave allowances and pension to be granted by the Darbar should be as advan¬ 
tageous as those which he no doubt expected would be secured to him by the 
Madras Government when they gazetted him to his present appointment. 

(By order.) 

Ootacamund, (Signed) ELPHINSTONE BEGBIE, Colonel, 

12 th June 1894. Offg. Adjutant-General. 


No. 3686. 

Transferred to the Political Department, with an expression of concurrence in 
the views expressed by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. 

2. It is observed that Lieutenant Ferguson is shown in the War Office Official 
Army List, dated April L894, as still belonging to the ‘ Reserve of Officers.’ a 

3. The referred papers are herewith returned. 

(By order.) 

Ootacamund, (Signed) D. J. S. MoLEOD, Colonel, 

15 th June 1894. Offd- Secretary to Government. 


Order —dated 25th July 1894, No. 517, Political. 

In his letter read above the Resident in Travancore deals with Lieutenant 
Ferguson’s position in the Nayar Brigade. It has been the practice for the Madras 
Government to select officers for commands in the Brigade and to place their 
services at the disposal of the Resident, the Darbar making the appointment. In 
the case of Lieutenant Ferguson this procedure was not followed. He was posted 
to the Brigade direct by this Government and his appointment was notified in the 
Fort St. George Gazette of the 7th August 1885, He was then, and is still, in the 
Reserve of officers and as such he is not entitled to any leave allowances or pension 
under Military rules nor can he, as at present situated, look to the Travancore 
Darbar for any pension. These points were overlooked when he was appointed to 
the Brigade. 

. 2. The Travancore Darbar desires that some definite understanding should be 

come to regarding Lieutenant Ferguson’s position, and in paragraph 8 of his letter, 
which forms an enclosure to the Resident’s communication, the Diwan has sug¬ 
gested two courses. The second of these, which is favoured by the Military 
Department, is that Lieutenant Ferguson should resign all connection with the 
British service and be treated as a purely local officer of the Brigade subject only 
to the authority of the Travancore Government, to which he would look for 
furlough and leave allowances and pension. 

3. The Resident has raised the point whether, in view of the observations in 
G.O., dated 6th July 1872, No. 2193, Military, where it was laid down that officers 
in the various commands of the Brigade should be British officers, this Government 
can permit Lieutenant Ferguson to continue in the Brigade after severing his 
connection with the British Army. Mr. Grigg is under the impression that the 
Government of India confirmed the above view as to the officering of the Brigade, 

but a reference to the marginally-noted 
No. 368, dated 3rd October 1872, Political, proceedings shows that the Foreign 
„ 55 „ 5th February 1873 „ Department was silent on this particular 

subject and only addressed itself to the 
financial points raised by this Government. His Excellency the Governor in 
Council is moreover of opinion that under the peculiar circumstances of Lieutenant 
Ferguson’s case, the spirit of the order of 1872 would be maintained if the course 
suggested by the Diwan were adopted, and he is prepared to sanction it as a 
special case. 


24 





94 


4. Before taking further action in the matter, it is necessary that the Darbar 
should state what leavm allowances and pension Lieutenant Ferguson would be 
granted under the above arrangement, and that Lieutenant Ferguson’s views on 
the proposal, and his willingness to sever his connection with the British service, 
should be ascertained. The Resident will make the necessary inquiries and report 
the result. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


Read —also the following paper :— 

From H. B. GRIGG, Esq., m.a., c.i.e., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Acting Chief Secretary to Government, dated Kallar, 7th January 
1895, Ref. on C. No. 5089. 

In reply to G.O., dated 25th July 1894, No. 517, Political, I have the honour 
to submit herewith the terms offered by the Travancore Sirkar in case Lieutenant 
Ferguson severs his connection with the British Array and becomes a local officer 
of the Brigade, and copy of that officer’s letter to the Diwan accepting the same. 
The terms offered have my support and I beg to request that steps may now be 
taken with a view to Mr. Ferguson being permitted to resign the service of the 
British Government and to his services being formally transferred to the Sirkar 
the conditions stated in my letter recorded with the Government Order on above 
quoted. 

2. I beg to add that there was some delay in replying to the above Govern¬ 
ment Order owing to Lieutenant Ferguson’s absence on furlough at the time of 
its receipt. He returned from leave and resumed charge of his appointment 
about the close of November. 


Enclosures. 

Terms offered by the Travancore Sirkar. 

Pay .—Lieutenant Ferguson’s maximum pay will be Rs. 6t0 per mensem. He will draw 
Rs. 600 per mensem as soon as bis connection with the British service ceases, the additional 
Rs. 40 being granted after three years from that date. , 

2. He will besides continue to draw the usual house-rent of Rs. 50 per mensem. 

3. His service of five years as guardian to the Princes prior to joining the Brigade and 
his service since entering that force will all be counted as service under this Government. 

Leave .—Having already had eighteen months' furlough he will, during the remaining 
period of his service, be entitled to furlough or sick leave or both together for a further period 
of eighteen months, of which he might avail himself of furlough for six months after two years 
from date of return to duty and for the remaining twelve months after a further service of four 
years from the expiry of the above leave. Sick leave on proper medical certificate will be 
granted irrespective of the furlough he is entitled to, provided that leave of every kind taken 
during the remaining period of his service shall not exceed eighteen months. 

Leave Alloicances .—For furlough—One-half the average of the substantive pay during the 
preceding three years. 

For sick leave, on medical certificate—One-half the substantive pay at the time of taking 
the sick leave, provided that the sick leave does not extend over a period of one year. If it 
does, the allowances for the remaining period shall be one-fourth the substantive pay. 

Pension .—The period of service entitling Lieutenant Ferguson to pension shall reckon from 
1st July 1880—the date on which he entered on his duties as guardian to the Princes. 

Bates of Pension .—Above 15 years and below 20 years on production of medical certificate 
of incapacity—Rs. 225 per mensem. 

Above 20 years and below 25 years also on production of medical certificate of incapacity 
—Rs. 300 per mensem. 

Above 25 years without a medical certificate—Rs. 320 per mensem. 

In each of the cases mentioned above the pension will be paid at the rate of one shilling 
and four pence per rupee if he resides in Europe. 




95 


From Lieutenant H. S. FERGUSON, Acting Commandant, Nayar Brigade, to the Diwan of 
Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 13th December 1894, No. 310. 

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, No. 6234-2731-M., dated the 
12th instant, and to express my thanks to His Highness the Maharaja’s Government for the 
modifications made in the terms offered me to enter the local service. I am prepared to 
accept the terms as modified and shall write by the next mail resigning my commission in the 
Reserve of officers at home. 


Order —dated 4tli March 1895, No. 150, Political. 

The Government of India will be addressed. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


Letter —to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, dated 
Fort St. George, 4th March 1895, No. 151, Political. 

* * * * # 


(18)— G.O., dated 5th Jane 1895, No. 360, Political. 

Read —also the following paper :— 

From H. DALY, Esq., Officiating Deputy Secretary to the Government of 
India, Foreign Department, to the Chief Secretary to the Government 
of Madras, dated Simla, the 13th May 1895, No. 1519 I. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 151 (Political), 
of the 4th March 1895, regarding the position of Mr. H. S. Ferguson, who is now 
employed in the Nayar Brigade of the Travancore State. 

2. Mr. Ferguson is not entitled to any furlough allowances or pension from 
the British Government, and it is recommended that he should be regarded as an 
officer in the service of the Travancore Government, who are prepared to grant 
lnm pay, leave allowances and pension as specified in the sixth paragraph of your 
letter under acknowledgment. 

8. The Government of India have no objection to offer to these proposals and 
agree to the continued employment of Mr. Ferguson in the Nayar Brigade on the 
terms suggested. The action proposed in paragraph 9 of your letter may be taken, 
but the Government of India do not think it necessary to lay special stress upon 
the circumstances of the present arrangement. 


Order —dated 5th June 1895, No. 360, Political. 

Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 

2. G.O., No. 494, Political, dated 24th July 1885, and Gazette Notification of 
the same date, No. 10, are cancelled. 

3. The Resident will intimate to the Travancore Darbar the approval of His 
Excellency the Governor in Council to the arrangement under which Mr. Ferguson 
will continue in the Nayar Brigade as a purely local officer subject only to the 
authority of the Travancore Government and to such general political supervision 
as is now exercised by the Resident over the Brigade. Mr. Ferguson will, as a 
local officer, rank next to the British Officer Commanding the First Battalion. He 
will not be eligible for the Brigade Command, nor without the express sanction of 








96 


this Government can he even temporarily be put in charge. He will be permitted 
to oontinue in the Brigade until he has qualified for peusiou or until lie attains the 
age of sixty years. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


(14)— G.O., dated 27 th September 1895, No 641, Political. 

From J. THOMSON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Secretary to Government, dated Quilon, 15th September 1895, Ref. on 
C. No. 2789. 

Referring to G.O., No. 360, Political, dated 5th June 1895, the Dewan of Tra¬ 
vancore has addressed me as follows:— 

“ In regard to the order prohibiting Mr. Ferguson from even temporary charge 
of the Brigade without the express sanction of the British Government, I venture 
to point out that such a restriction will prove a source of great inconvenience as it 
would, under certain circumstances, as indicated by Colonel Brereton even leave the 
Brigade without a Commanding Officer for a time. His Highness’ Government 
will be obliged, therefore, by your kindly moving for a reconsideration of the order 
in view to its being modified.” 

2. The circumstances pointed out by Colonel Brereton are : inconvenience to 
the other British officers of the Brigade, especially the Commandant, who may be 
hindered in carrying out duties required by the Sirkar, sickness of the Commandant 
while the other British officer is on leave, and the Resident being out of reach. 

3. I do not think there is much necessity for this reference. When there is 
time to obtain orders before putting Mr. Ferguson in temporary charge, that 
should be done in obedience to the Government order: when there is an absolute 
urgency for his taking command without reference, e.g., his superior officers sud¬ 
denly becoming unfit for duty, he must do so; and it would no doubt be regarded 
as a full compliance with the order that he immediately reported his proceedings 
with reasons. 

The occasions of both Resident and Assistant Resident being out of reach of 
early communication are not frequent. 


Order —dated 27th September 1895, No. 641, Political. 

The Government agrees with the view expressed in paragraph 3 of the 
Resident’s letter and he will politely intimate this decision to the Darbar. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary . 





97 


V.—LEAVE AND PENSIONS TO OFFICERS AND MEN OF 
THE BRIGADE. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 2 6th October 1847, Nos. 1 and 
2, Political Department—Vide paper No. 5 under section II. 


(2)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated ls£ February 1848, Nos. 236 
and 237, Military Department. 

Read —the folowing letter :— 

No. 236. From Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident of Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated 
Trivandrum, 20th January 1848, No. 6. 

I have the honour to submit copy of a letter from Major Sherriff, Commanding 
His Highness the Rajah’s Nair Brigade, forwarding an application from his Quarter¬ 
master Sergeant, who was lately received from the 12th Regiment Native Infantry, 
to be allowed to avail himself of the G.O.G., 20th.March 1820, which authorizes 
Sergeants who have served in the Company’s Army 21 years to retire from the 
service on a pension of 30 rupees per month. 

Major Sherriff notices the possible inconvenience of the Sergeant continuing 
in the Travancore Service as a pensioner from his no longer being liable to the 
punishment if requisite of being remanded as a private soldier to his regiment; 
but I presume that even as a pensioner he would still be sufficiently amenable to 
Military law for all the ends of discipline. 

Should he be willing to continue in the Travancore Service, and the Govern¬ 
ment sanction it, I should, of course, recommend that an amount equal to his 
Company’s pension be deducted from his aggregate allowances in the same way as 
subsistence now is for that of the Commissioned Officers. 


Ordered to be communicated to the Military Department, where the subject 
will receive consideration. 


(By order.) 

(Signed) H. C. MONTGOMERY, 

Officiating Chief Secretary. 


No. 237. Order thereon, 1st February 1848, No. 484, Military. 

Ordered to be communicated to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, with 
a request that the necessary orders may be issued on its subject. 

(Signed) C. A. BROWNE, Lt.-Col., 

Secretary to Government. 


(3)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 20 th March 1855, Nos. 14 and 

15, Political Department. 

Read —the following letter :— 

No. 14. From Lieutenant-General W. CULLEN, Resident of Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated Trivandrum, 1st March 1855, No. 16. 

I have the honour to submit for the consideration of the Right Honourable 
the Governor in Council the copy of an application, dated 9th ultimo, from Captain 

25 









98 


Daly of the Nayar Brigade through Lieutenant-Colonel Grant Commanding to know 
what scale of pension would be allowed to him in the event of his desiring to 
avail himself of such provision. 

2. The local officers of the Nayar Brigade entered the Circar service without 
any stipulation in regard to pension. They entered it as subalterns without even 
the prospect of promotion, for by the then constitution of the brigade there was 
but one European officer to each battalion, who performed the joint duty of Com¬ 
manding Officer and Adjutant. 

3. Until the year 1836, the Commanding Officer of the brigade was the only 
Company’s officer present, the battalions having till then been commanded by 
local officers. In that year the local officers commanding battalions were promoted 
to Captains with the usual regimental allowances. 

4. I am not at all aware of the regulations applicable to the Nizam’s army in 
regard to pension ; but the nature of the service is, I believe, very different from 
that of the Nayar Brigade, the former frequently are engaged in active and danger¬ 
ous field service, while the Nayar Brigade have never had any duties beyond that 
of ceremonial parades, and are not required to serve out of Travancore. I do not 
therefore think that the Company’s scale of pension can be considered applicable to 
the local officers of the Nayar Brigade, although Captain Daly’s lengthened service 
of 36 years and his professional character for zeal and intelligence give him every 
claim to consideration. 

5. Captain Daly and Captain Rtaig are now the only local officers, so that with 
them will cease all claim on the Circar to pension. 


No. 15. The Right Honourable the Governor in Council observes that the question 
whether Captain Daly is entitled to any, and if so, to what rate of pension, is one 
wholly for the consideration of the Travancore Circar at whose expense the Nayar 
Brigade is maintained. It is not a matter on which the Government are called 
upon to express an opinion. ' 


(4 )—Extract fiom a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 1 Ith 
September 1855, JSIo. 13, Political Department. 

***** 


2. With his letter of the 10th April last, the Resident of Travancore submitted 
for our orders a memorial from Lieutenant-Colonel Grant commanding the Nayar 
Brigade relative to his connection with the brigade and to the effect thereon of 

T n 0 . . ., XT no . the leave of absence to return to Europe 

In Cons., 3rd April 1855, Nos. 23 to 25. j- i t 

In Dy. to Cons, 1st May 1855, Nos. 12 to 15. ?!', medlc 5 l certificate granted to him in 

Military Department under the new fur¬ 
lough regulations. The two principal questions raised in this memorial were—• 


1st .—Whether Lieutenant-Colonel Grant was entitled to retain the command 
of the brigade after his promotion to the rank of regimental Lieutenant-Colonel. 

2nd .—If so, what proportion of his allowances should be drawn by him 
during his absence to Europe under the leave granted to him. 

3. In regard to the first of these questions, we were decidedly of opinion that 
Lieutenant-Colonel Grant could no longer hold his command. We observed that 
the command of the brigade up to the present time had been held by a Regimental 
Captain usually with the local rank of Major, by a Brevet-Major or Regimental 
Major, but never by an officer of higher rank, that when the pay of the Command¬ 
ant was last raised in 1840 and fixed at its present rate, during the command of 
Major then Captain Campbell, the allowances of the appointment were made those 
of a Major of Infantry having the command of his corps at a full-batta station, 
which sufficiently showed that it was not contemplated that the post would be 
held by an officer of higher rank, and that the G.O. of the Government of India, 




99 


10th June 1833, quoted by Lieutenant-Colonel Grant could not be admitted to be in 
point, as it was evident that the command of the Travancore Nayar Brigade, a 
regiment of two battalions, was not one of the chief commands in the armies of the 
‘ native allied powers ’ alluded to in that order. 


4. Under these circumstances, we directed that Lieutenant-Colonel Grant should 
be considered to have vacated the command of the Nayar Brigade in consequence of 
bis recent promotion, and to be from the date of our resolution being communicated 
to him by the Resident under the orders of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. 


5. This decision rendered it unnecessary for us to discuss the second of the 
points mooted by Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, viz., as to the allowances to which he 
would have been entitled had he retained his late appointment during his absence 
to Europe. We, however, remarked that the terms of the ‘ Neet’ granted by the 
Rajah, quoted by Colonel Grant, could not be regarded as applicable to any other 
than short periods of absence, and when arrangements could be made for the 
discharge of the duties of the absentee by one of the other officers attached to the 
brigade, and that to make it apply to prolonged terms of absence in Europe or 
elsewhere, and when it might become necessary to bring in some other officer 
from the Company’s army, would both give an unreasonable indulgence to the 
absentee and be embarrassing to Government. To obviate, however, any risk of 
further misunderstanding on the subject, we directed the Resident to arrange 
with His Highness the Rajah a modification of the ‘ Neet,’ whereby its conditions 
in respect to the allowance to be drawn during absence might be assimilated to 
those prescribed for officers holding staff appointments by the recent Military 
absentee rules, that is, as regards leave for short periods. 


6. The Resident of Travancore also submitted for our consideration a memo¬ 
rial from Captain Daly of the Nayar Brigade, complaining of his supersession 

T tt-v , n , ,,, 1Qe; - -xt a, ,i in the command of the brigade during 

In Dy. to Cons., 1st May 1855, -Nos. 9 to 11. T . , , ~ , in & 

J Lieutenant-Colonel Grant s temporary 

absence, by the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Eaunce. We observed that 

Captain Daly had confounded two cases which were essentially distinct; it might, 

we remarked, be the regular and indeed necessary course for him to take the 

acting command of the brigade during the absence of the Commanding Officer 

on short leave, or during a vacancy whilst a relief was taking place; but this by 

no means entitled him to the command during such a lengthened period as that of 

the leave of absence for which Colonel Grant had applied, and when such a claim 

was advanced by Captain Daly as an unquestionable and inalienable right in 

opposition to the title of Government to make their own arrangement, his demand 

must be absolutely refused. 


7. We also observed that the recent orders of your Honourable Court on the 
memorial addressed to you by Captain Daly and your refusal to allow him the 
local rank of Major showed that your Honourable Court would not be disposed to 
approve that the command should devolve on Captain Daly either permanently or 
for a protracted period. Moreover, that Captain Daly had recently made applica¬ 
tion for a retiring pension, and if unequal to the duties of a battalion, could 
scarcely be deemed efficient for the command of the whole brigade. 


8. In conclusion, we remarked upon the very objectionable tone which per¬ 
vaded Captain Daly’s memorial, upon the terms in which he had permitted him¬ 
self to speak of the Resident, and the manner in which he has introduced the name 
of His Highness himself; all of which, we observed, went far to show how little 
suited he was to the position that he would claim. 


* 






c 


* 



100 


(5 )—Extract ftom a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors , dated 20 th 
February 1856, No. 17, Military Department. 

Political letter, dated 11th September 1855, No. 13. 

***** 


2 to 5. Upon an application from Lieut.- 
Colonel Grant, late in command of 
the Nayar Brigade and now returning 
to Europe on sick certificate, Govern¬ 
ment determined that on promotion to 
a Regimental Lieutenant-Colonelcy he 
could not continue to hold the com¬ 
mand. 

6 to 8. Government having received a 
memorial addressed to them by Captain 
Daly, Nayar Brigade, complaining of 
supersession in the command of the bri¬ 
gade during the absence of Lieut.- 
Colonel Grant, observed in reply that he 
was not entitled to the command during 
the lengthened period for which Lieut.- 
Colonel Grant had applied for leave 
and that Government halving deter¬ 
mined to vacate the command, early 
arrangements had been made .for filling 
it by an officer of the Company's army. 
Government notice his application for 
pension and the objectionable tone which 
pervaded his memorial. 


31. This decision has our confirmation 
and approval. 


32. The notice taken in your Minute of 
the 28th April 1855 of this appeal to 
your Government by Captain Daly has 
our concurrence and approval. 


(6)— G.O ., dated 6th April 1867, No. 93, Political—Vide paper No. 12 under 

section III. 


(7)— G.O., dated 5th July 1867, No. 191, Political . 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 23. From the Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Seeretarv to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 27th 
April 1867, No. 21. 

With reference to the subject of Proceedings of Government, 28th November 
1866, No. 270, I have the honour to state that the Travancore Government object 
to the proposal that they should make up the difference between the rate of 
Quartermaster-Sergeant’s pension and Sergeant’s pension in the case in question. 

2. The objection is to the principle, and it is feared that a precedent may be 
established which, if followed up, may involve the Sirkar in considerable and, up 
to this time, unforeseen expenditure. 

3. The amount involved in the present case is only 3 d. a day, but had it not 
been for the accidental and, it would seem, irregular promotion of the individual to 
the rank of Sergeant, the claim would have been Is. 3 d. a day, as the difference 
between the pension of Corporal and Sergeant-Major. 

4. Moreover, the extract from a despatch of the Court of Directors, for¬ 
warded with the Proceedings of Government, contains a suggestion involving con¬ 
tribution by Native States towards pension not merely, as in this case, to meet the 
difference between substantive and local rank, and in the case of non-commissioned 
officers only, but extending to the case of officers as well, and including, it is 






101 


presumed, the case of a rise in substantive rank by officers while employed by the 
Native States, as well as a pro rata contribution to the pensions of all officers so 
employed. 

5. It does not appear that any notice has ever been given of the intention to 
apply these principles, nor is it even now clear whether and to what extent they 
are to be enforced. 

6. If it be admitted that the present case is not to be regarded as a precedent, 
or at least as a precedent, that it is to be confined to the narrow question of the 
Sirkar making good the difference between the pension of the substantive and 
local rank of non-commissioned officers, I have no doubt that the objection will 
be at once withdrawn. 

7. I annex copy of De wan’s letter on the subject. 


From the Dewan of Travaneore, to the Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, &c., &c., &c., 
dated Trivandrum, 16th April 1867, No. Ji|A. 

Referring to the Resident’s letter No. 1896, dated the 8th December 1866, regarding the 
difference of pension to Sergeant Bourke to he contributed by the Sirkar, I beg leave to urge 
that the contribution was not anticipated at the time the Sergeant was engaged to serve in the 
Nayar Brigade, and the Sirkar is naturally unwilling to accept any new liability. The amount 
concerned is indeed of little moment; hut a principle is involved, and the Sirkar is naturally 
reluctant to do any thing which might possibly serve as a precedent to subject it to unforeseen 
liabilities. 

2. If, on due representation of these circumstances to the Madras Government, that Govern¬ 
ment should still he of opinion that this Sirkar should contribute the amount, the Sirkar will, 
of course, yield to their wishes ; but I beg leave to express the hope that, in future, it be not 
called upon to make any contribution to pensions which did not enter into the original arrange¬ 
ment, and of which it had no previous notice. 


No. 24. From the Deputy Adjutant-General, to the Secretary to Government, 
Military Department, Fort St. George, dated Fort St. George, 28th 
June 1867, No. 298. 

With reference to paragraph 2 of the Order of Government, dated 6th 

Directing that reference be madethrongh the November 1866, No. 3863 B, the Deputy 
Political Department, in view to provision being Adjutant-General has the honour to 
made by the Travancore Government for the request that the Secretary to Govern- 
difference of pension of M. being granted to ment, Military Department, will be good 
Quartermaster-Sergeant Bourke, late of the enough 4o inform him whether any 
N ayar Brigade. reply has been received to the reference 

made to the Government of Travancore relative to the pension of Quartermaster- 
Serjeant P. Bourke, late of the Nayar Brigade. 


Transferred to the Political Department. 

Fokt St. George, (Signed) H. MARSHALL, Major-General, 

29 th June 1867. Secretary to Government. 


No. 25. Order thereon, 5tli July 1867, No. 191. 

Under the circumstances stated in the Acting Resident’s letter, the Govern¬ 
ment are not of opinion that any just claim can be made against the Travancore 
State for the difference of pension between the grades of Sergeant and Quarter¬ 
master-Sergeant to which Bourke is entitled. 

2. A reference will be made to the Controller of Military Accounts to ascertain 
whether the increased rate of pension claimed by Quartermaster-Sergeant Bourke 
can be disbursed from the treasury, and charged as an item of ordinary debit to 
the Military Budget. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


m 






102 


(8 )—G.O. y dated \Uh August 1S67, No. 232, Political. 

Bead —the following letter:— 

No. 26. From the Controller of Military Accounts, to the Acting Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Fort St. George, 26th July 
1867, F. 

With reference to Order of Government, in the Political Department, dated 5th 
July 1867, No. 191, requesting to be informed whether the increased rate of pension 
claimed by Quartermaster-Sergeant Bourke, late of the Nayar Brigade, can be dis¬ 
bursed and charged as an ordinary debit to the Military Budget, I have the honour 
to observe that Government, in Minutes of Consultation, 28th February 1843, 
No. 861, under instructions of Government of India, have ruled that non-commis¬ 
sioned officers and soldiers employed under Native Powers should be borne on 
the Unattached List in the ranks they held at the time of their transfer, in order 
to secure to them the pension to which they would be entitled in the British Service. 

2. Sergeant Bourke cannot, therefore, claim any rate of pension from the State 
beyond that to which his rank in the Military Service of the Presidency entitles him. 


No. 27. Order thereon, 14th August 1867, No. 232. 

The Government observe that, under the rules in force, non-commissioned 
officers and soldiers employed under Native States are borne on the Unattached 
List in the ranks they held at the time of their transfer, in order to secure to them 
the pension to which they would be entitled in the British Service. Under these 
rules, Quartermaster-Sergeant Bourke is only entitled to claim the pension of the 
rank of Sergeant. 

2. The Government have already, in their Order No. 191, dated 5th July 
1867, decided that no just claim can be made against the Travancore State for the 
difference of pension, in Bourke’s case, between the grades of Sergeant and Quarter¬ 
master-Sergeant. Any addition to Quartermaster-Sergeant Bourke’s pension which 
it may please the Travancore Government to make must be regarded as a special 
mark of their approval of his services in the Nayar Brigade, and will not be con¬ 
sidered as a precedent. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(9)— G.O., dated 24 th March 1869, No. 91, Political—Vide paper No. 15 under 

section III. 


(10)— G.O., dated 30 th March 1871, No. 98, Political. 

Read —the following letter 

No. 21. From the Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secre¬ 
tary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 18th 
March 1871, No. 18. 

I have the honour to forward, for the information of Government, copy of 
rules sanctioned by His Highness the Maharajah of Travancore for the grant of 
gratuities and pensions to the Native officers and sepoys of the Nayar Brigade. 

2. Until these rules were passed, no regular system of pension was in force, 
but a small percentage on the cost of the brigade was permitted to be deducted 
in the shape of pensions to men of more than thirty-five years’ service. 

3. Under this arrangement many soldiers remained in the force, incapaci¬ 
tated by age and sickness for efficient duty, but who could not justly be removed 
from the force until vacancies occurred in the men already drawing the small 
amount allotted for pension. 

Sc 4 






103 


4. I am pleased to be able to report that His Highness has now sanctioned 
a regular system of pensions and gratuities, similar in principle to that in force in 
the British Native Army, which, I believe, will not prove burdensome to the State, 
while this step must greatly improve the efficiency of the brigade. 

5. As the scale of pensions may seem low, being the same hitherto in force 
to the limited extent to which pensions have till now been granted, it must be 
remembered that the soldiers of the Nayar Brigade are more a militia than regular 
troops, and during their service are permitted and encouraged to continue the 
cultivation of their fields. As the pay and advantages hitherto enjoyed by the 
force were sufficient to secure willing recruits, I did not think it expedient to 
suggest any increase in the scale of pensions, and only recommended such an 
extension of the pension rules as would permit all men disqualified for active 
service to be placed on the pension list, and thus increase the efficiency of the force. 


No. 22. Order thereon, 30th March 1871, No. 98. 

To be recorded. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary. 

(11)— G.O. t dated 28 th June 1872, No. 249, Political—Vide paper No. 17 under 

section III. 


(12)— G.O ., dated 28 th September 1872, No. 365, Political. 

Read —the following letter:— 

No. 24. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 28th August 
1872, No. 97. 

23rd August 1872. I have the honour to acknowledge 

25th „ „ your telegrams noted. 

2. Adverting to the second I observe that application for Captain Gun¬ 

ning’s services was made on the 20th 
Ho. 93. instant, which has doubtless reached you 

ere this. 

3. To the first I replied “ Davidson’s application for leave, received through 
Commandant, has been sent to Maharajah, who will grant leave as usual (four 
months). No farther application proposed ; ” and I beg to take the present oppor¬ 
tunity of laying a few remarks before Government on the subject of leave to the 
officers of the brigade, in order that the conditions under which it is to be taken 
may be more clearly understood than at present. To show that more definite 
understanding is desirable, I will recount briefly what has lately occurred. 

4. On the 9th instant I received from the Officer Commanding Nayar Brigade 
an application from Captain J. C. Hay for two months’ privilege leave. Captain 
Davidson had, I knew, for some time been desiring privilege leave, but from private 
considerations had not yet applied. As, however, Captain Hay’s application came 
recommended by his Commanding Officer, I forwarded it at once as usual for His 
Highness the Maharajah’s sanction. 

5. Before this was accorded I received a farther letter from the Officer 
Commanding forwarding an application from Captain Davidson for sick leave, 
accompanied by a medical certificate from the Darbar Physician. There was no 
communication from the Medical Officer of the Nayar Brigade, nor had Captain 
Davidson been on the regimental sick list or off duty. 







104 


6. Finding that on the last occasion of an officer of the brigade taking sick 
leave a medical committee had been requested to assemble by the then Resident, 

* President • I requested Dr. Ross (as Senior Medical 

Dr. Robs. Officer at this station) to convene a 

Members: committee* on Captain Davidson. This 

Assistant-Surgeon J. B. Thomas, Presi- was done. The committee recommended 
dency Surgeon. that Captain Davidson should proceed 

f\h' ®P er8 °k^^ er ’ -® S( D M - D -> Medical Bangalore for four months on sick 

J leave. This was communicated to the 

Maharajah, and His Highness granted leave accordingly. 

7. I believe farther reference, as far as Captain Davidson is concerned, is 
unnecessary. 

He draws his pay and half-staff allowance whilst on this leave from the Sirkar, 
the moiety of the staff allowance going to the officer who performs his duties during 
his absence, and whose substantive pay for the period is, I believe, also debitable 
to the Sirkar. 

I do not propose, therefore, unless I receive farther instructions, taking farther 
steps on your telegram No. 1 above quoted. 

8. Dr. Ross, however, objects to the action taken in Captain Davidson’s case. 
Dr. Ross considers that his simple certificate was sufficient; that officers of the 
brigade obtaining sick leave from the Maharajah require no board ; and that if 
board was required to decide a question affecting one of Her Majesty’s officers, 
Dr. Sperschneider could not sit on it as he is not in Her Majesty’s Service. I 
think his objections quite unfounded. 

9. It seems to have been customary here that officers of the brigade should 
consult the Darbar Physician or the Brigade Medical Officer, according to personal 
predilection, and I find that, on several occasions, officers have gone on sick leave 
from the Maharajah for periods under six months on simple certificates either of 
the Darbar Physician or Medical Officer of the Brigade indiscriminately. 

t Dr. Sperschneider also sat on Captain H the last preceding case to the pre- 
Woulfe Hay’s Committee previous to that sent, however, a committee was called, 
officer’s going to England on sick leave from and Dr. Sperschneider sat on that f 
the Madras Government. committee. 

10. Thus procedure has hitherto been various. 

In my humble opinion, whilst officers of the brigade may be left at liberty to 
consult such Medical Officers in Her Majesty’s or His Highness’ Service as they 
please on general occasions, the Medical Officer of the Brigade, should be their 
regimental medical attendant, and he alone should place officers on the sick list as 
regards duty, grant medical certificates in the first instance, and discharge such 
like official medical functions. The inconvenience and, indeed, impropriety of two 
Medical Officers being able to give sick certificates independently of one another 
(as can now apparently be done) to officers of the same corps is obvious. 

At the same time the assembling of a medical committee to consider the case 
in which sick certificate has been granted before the sick leave is taken, if possible, 
seems not only quite unobjectionable here, but in accordance with custom else¬ 
where, and generally very desirable. 

11. Apparently it has hitherto been customary for officers of the brigade to 
obtain from His Highness the Maharajah, firstly, short casual leave of a few days; 
secondly, privilege leave (two months in the year); thirdly, sick leave (under six 
months in India). 

All applications are communicated and recommended by an official letter from 
the Commanding Officer, Nayar Brigade, to the Resident, who obtains the Maha¬ 
rajah’s sanction if no objection exists. 

12. I now propose, if Government are pleased to approve, to advise the Maha¬ 
rajah that the arrangements just mentioned in the last preceding paragraph may 
continue to obtain, but to suggest that sick leave from His Highness should hence- 






105 


forth be granted on a certificate from the Medical Officer of the Brigade, confirmed 
by a committee (of which the Brigade Medical Officer would be a member) at the 
station if one can assemble previous to the officer’s departure. 

If, from the abseuce of Medical Officers or other cause, a committee cannot 
assemble at the station, one might assemble under the orders of Government, on 
the report of the Resident, at such other station as the circumstances of the case 
rendered desirable. 

13. I have consulted Major Ellis, the present Commanding Officer of the 
Brigade, on the subjects above discussed, and am authorized by him to say that 
he entirely agrees with the views expressed, excepting that he inclines to recom¬ 
mend that all leave for a longer period than two months should be obtained with 
the sanction of the Madras Government in each case. He thinks that if leave 
over two months can be obtained locally, without loss of service for pension, the 
inducement to officers of the brigade to endeavour to obtain such leave is excessive. 

14. I would observe that it seems doubtful whether time on sick leave 
granted by the Maharajah (as, e.g., in the present case of Captain Davidson) does 
or does not count for pension. This point Government may be pleased now to 
determine. 

15. If the Sirkar is to bear the whole cost of the absentee’s pay for the period, 
and the definite system suggested in paragraph 10 above is adopted, I do not 
myself think that the sanction of Government need be made necessary as suggested 
by Major Ellis. 

16. I await the orders of Government on the subject. 


No. 25. Order thereon, 28th September 1872, No. 365. 

The Governor in Council approves the adoption of the course proposed in 
paragraph 12 of the above letter as in accordance with Military Rules, except that 
the Medical Officer granting the sick certificate should not be a member of the 
committee to confirm his own certificate, but should simply be in attendance to 
afford any information regarding the case that the committee may require. 

2. It is optional with the British Officers of the Nayar Brigade to seek the 
advice of any Medical Officer whom they may prefer, but in the event of their 
requiring leave of absence on medical certificate, the officer in medical charge 
of the troops is the proper authority to grant the certificate. It is irregular for 
any other than the officer in such charge to grant leave on sick certificate to 
officers doing duty with the brigade, and it was more especially so in Captain 
Davidson’s case, as Dr. Ross, who gave the certificate, sat as president of a com¬ 
mittee to confirm it. 

3. The objection taken by Dr. Ross to Dr. Sperschneider sitting as member 
of a medical committee on the cases of officers of the brigade, on the ground 
that he is not an officer of Her Majesty’s Service, is evidently not entitled to any 
weight. Dr. Sperschneider is an officer in the service of the Maharajah, and 
Dr. Ross himself is on precisely the same footing so long as he continues to hold 
his present appointment. 

4. The Governor in Council directs that in future all leave of absence to 
British Officers of the Nayar Brigade in excess of sixty days’ privilege leave shall be 
reported by the Officer Commanding the Brigade to the Adjutant-General in order 
that the required entries may be made in records showing the periods of service 
qualifying both for furlough and pension. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secy, to Govt. 


27 




106 


(13)— G.O., dated 3rd October 1872, No. 368, Political. 

No. 1. Read —the following Proceedings of Government in the Military Depart¬ 
ment, dated 25th September 1872, No. 3064:— 

Bead —the following letter 

From the Under Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department 
(General), to the Officiating Secretary to Government, Military Depart¬ 
ment* Fort St. George, dated Simla, 14th September 1872, No. 1970-G. 

With reference to the correspondence ending with your letter, No. 2994, dated 
the 6th of July last, I am instructed to inform you that His Excellency the Yiceroy 
and Governor-General in Council has been pleased to determine that the Travan- 
core State shall not be called on to pay any contribution towards the pensionary 
allowances of the European officers and Serjeant-Major at present attached to the 
Nayar Brigade. The question in its application to such British officers as may be 
hereafter appointed is still under the consideration of the Government of India. A 
communication on this subject will accordingly be made at a future date. 


Order. —Communicated to the Political Department with reference to Pro¬ 
ceedings of Government, 6th July 1872, No. 2193. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. C. SILVER, Colonel, 

Ojfg. Secy, to Govt., Mily. Degpt, 


No. 2. Order, thereon, 3rd October 1872, No. 368. 

Communicated to the Resident in Travancore. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLTS, 

Chief Secy, to Govt, 


(14)— G.O., dated 5 th February 1873, No. 55, Political. 

Read —the following letter:— 

No. 5. From the Officiating Under Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign 
Department (General), to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort 
St. George, dated Fort William, 29th January 1873, No. 234-G. 

In continuation of my letter, No. 1970-G., dated 14th September last, I am 
directed to intimate that the Travancore State will not be called upon to pay any 
contribution towards the absentee and pensionary allowances of officers whose 
services may in future be lent to the Nayar Brigade. The existing arrangement, 
however, under which the State pays a portion of the furlough allowances of officers 
attached to the brigade, need not be disturbed. The Travancore Government will 
be equally exempt from contributions towards the absentee and pensionary allow¬ 
ances of future incumbents of the post of Durbar physician. But any officers of 
the British Government who may hereafter be lent to the Travancore State, in 
appointments not at present held by servants of the British Government, will come 
within the terms of the Financial Resolution, No. 4359, dated 14th October 1871. 


No. 6. Order thereon, 5th February 1873, No. 55. 

Communicated to the Military Department and to the Resident in Travancore 
and Cpchin, 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) W. HUDLESTON, 

Chief Secretary. 











107 


(15)— G.O., dated 5th April 1873, No. 1200, Military. 

Read— the following papers :—• 

No. 84. From the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 14th March 
1873, No. 17. 

Letter from the Officer Commanding Nayar I have the honour to submit the 

Brigade, No. 44, dated 14th instant, with enclosed correspondence for the orders 
enclosure, in original, requested to he returned. 0 f Government. 

2. Captain Davidson, Nayar Brigade, proceeded to Bangalore on sick leave for 
four months on the 26th August last. 

3. Dp to that time, it appears that sick leave under six months was not 
reckoned against an officer’s period of service for furlough or pension, but by G.O., 
dated 28th September 1872, No. 365, it is ruled that in future such leave shall 
count against an officer’s service in such respects. 

4. Captain Davidson’s leave was afterwards extended on sick certificate to 
two months. 

He complains that the whole period of his leave has been recorded against his 
service. 

5. I believe it is not usual generally to make such rules retrospective, and 
think it was not the intention of Government the new rule should have retro¬ 
spective action in Captain Davidson’s case. 

I solicit the orders of Government on the subject. 


Transferred to the Military Department. 

Fort St. George, (Signed) W. HUDLESTON, 

19 th March 1873. Chief Secretary. 


Referred to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, 

21 st March 1873. 


No. 85. From Colonel T. C. LONGCROFT, for Adjutant-General, to the Sec¬ 
retary to Government, Military Department, dated Fort St. George, 
28th March 1873, No. 184. 


With reference to the correspondence referred under your docket of the 21st 
instant, I have the honour, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, to state for the 
information of Government that, on the 7th of January 1873, a report was made 
to this office by the Assistant Resident, Trivandrum, that the Maharajah of 
Travancore had extended Captain Davidson’s leave for a period of two months, 
viz., to 27th February 1873. 


2. No particulars having been given of the nature of the leave on whioh 
Captain Davidson was, and whioh was recommended to be extended, a reference 

was made to, and a reply * received from, 


* Dated Trivandrum, 29th January 1873, 
No. 77. 

t By His Highness the Maharajah of Tra¬ 
vancore, through the Resident. 


the Resident at Travancore, “ that Cap¬ 
tain A. A, Davidson was granted f 
four'" months’ sick leave from the 26th 
August 1872 on the recommendation of 
a Medical Board, and this leave was again extended for two months (till the 26th 
February 1873) at the recommendation of a medical committee which assembled, 
at Bangalore on the 23rd December 1872.” 





108 


3. Captain Davidson was accordingly charged with the leave of absence from 
26th August 1872 to 26th February 1373, making a total of six months,—to four 
months of which he now takes exception under paragraph 4 of Order of Govern¬ 
ment in its Proceedings of the 28th September 1872, No. 365. 

4. The facts of the case being as above stated, 1 am desired to request you 
will be good enough to inform me what portion of the leave granted to Captain 
Davidson from 26th August 1872 to 26th February 1873 should be charged 
against him under the above Proceedings of Government—whether the whole of 
the leave or a part only, and if the latter, how much. 


Political Department, No. 365, dated 28th 
September 1872. 

Military Department, No. 3139, dated 5th 
October 1872. 


No. 85. Order thereon, 5th April 1873, No. 1200. 

The order requiring all leave other than privilege granted to British Officers 

of the Nayar Brigade to be reported to 
the Adjutant-General for record having 
been passed after the grant to Captain 
Davidson of the first portion (four 
months) of his sick leave, the Governor 
in Council considers that that part of the leave should be exempt from the pro¬ 
visions of the order, and that only the two months for which the leave was subse¬ 
quently extended should be charged against that officer. 

(Signed) A. C. SILVER, Colonel, 

Secretary to Government. 


(16)— G.O ., dated 2 6th January 1875, No. 46, Political. 

Read —the following letter :— 

From G. A. BALLARD, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Acting Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivan¬ 
drum, 7th January 1875, No. 4. 

It was observed from the papers and gazette that Major Ellis, Commanding 
the Nayar Brigade, had obtained an extension of leave. 

No application for extension had been received by the Travancore Sirkar. 

The Dewan wrote to me asking how this was, and if the extension should be 
gazetted as usual in the Travancore Gazette. 

2. I replied that there probably had not been time for a reference, and that, as 
Major Ellis was at home, the extension had been granted from the India House. 
That Major Ellis should have applied also to His Highness the Maharajah for leave,, 
but that if, by oversight, he had not done so, I would recommend his extension 
being gazetted in Travancore nevertheless. 

3. This course the Dewan intimates to me will be pursued, and the half-staff 
allowance continuing to be disbursed to the Acting Commandant. 


Order thereon, dated 26th January 1875, No. 46. 

The Governor in Council is of opinion that Major Ellis should have applied to 
the Travancore Sirkar for an extension of his leave, and that, in the absence of such 
application, the additional leave obtained by him in England should not be notified 
in the Travancore Gazette. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 

(17)— G.O ., dated 26th September 1876, No. 616, Political—Vide paper No. 22 

under section III. 











109 


(18)— G.O., dated 28 th May 1880, No. 3379, Military—Vide paper "No. 12 

under section II. 


(19)— G.O. , dated 22? id February 1886, No. 181, Political. 

Bead —tlie following letters :— 

From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Acting Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivan' 
drum, 10th February 1886, No 19. 

In forwarding copies of the letters noted in the margin referring to an 

„ ~ .. . application by Lieutenant Ferguson, 

l'rom Officer Commanding JNair .Brigade, ,, ,i o u j.j. t t 

xt oQ j , i , ° ’ Commanding the 2nd Battalion ot the 

JNo. 2o, dated btfi. instant, and enclosure. . » , . 

JNair Brigade, tor one year s furlough to 

Europe, I have the honour to solicit instructions. 

„ ^ ^ ^ 2. Lieutenant Ferguson having been 

a * ^ e0rge ^ aZe tie ' -August 1885, gazetted* by Government, the grant of 

^ a&e ' furlough requires at least their sanction. 

3. In ordinary cases when an officer on the strength of the Madras Army, 
being in command of a brigade, desires furlough, his application would go through 
the Adjutant-General, and the Resident would apply to Government to have an 
officer appointed to act for him. 

4. In the present instance, Colonel Ketclien appears to consider that-the work 
of the brigade can be carried on without an officer being appointed to act. 

5. Under the circumstances I venture to suggest that it will suffice if Govern¬ 
ment accord their sanction, upon which I will submit the application to the Sirkar. 


From Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. B. KETCIIEN, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the British 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated Tnvandium, 6th February 1886, No. 23. 

I have the honour to forward herewith an application from Lieutenant H. S. Ferguson, 
Commanding the 2nd Battalion of the Brigade under my command, for one year’s furlough 
to Europe, and request you will kindly submit it for the favourable consideration of llis 
Highness the Maharajah. 

2. Lieutenant Ferguson not being on the strength of the Madras Army, it is impracticable 
to apply the Madras Army Regulations as to pay when on furlough to Lis case. He must there¬ 
fore be treated as if he were a local officer, otherwise only Rs. 62-5-10 (the half-staff allowance 
of the appointment) would be available for him. I therefore recommend that the arrange¬ 
ment suggested by himself be adopted in his case. The officer officiating for him would as 
usual when a vacancy occurs receive Rs. 100 per mensem whilst performing the duties of Lieute¬ 
nant Ferguson. This will meet all the requirements of the case, and the services of another 
officer need not be applied for for the short furlough of one year which Lieutenant Ferguson 
solicits may be granted to him. Ouly Rs. J00 being available, I do not think any officer would 
accept the appointment. The matter only affects the Travancore Government, as Lieutenant 
Ferguson does not require any sanction from the British Government to proceed on furlough. 
If His Highness’ Government see fit to sanction my recommendation that Lieutenant Ferguson 
should draw Rs. 400 aud the officiating officer Rs. 100, total Rs. 500, this will give a saving 
of Rs. 50 per mensem to Government, as house-rent will not be drawn. 


From Lieutenant HAROLD S. FERGUSON, Commandant, 2nd Battalion, Nayar Brigade, to 
the OfficenoCommanding the Nayar Brigade, dated Trivandrum, 4th February 1886. 

I have the honour to request that you will forward this my application to be permitted to 
proceed on furlough to Europe for one year with the usual thirty days’ subsidiary leave from the 
end of March or date of departure. 

I presume that during my absence the officer officiating for me will draw Rs. 100 per 
mensem as if there were a full vacancy, the rest of the pay ot the appointment being paid to 
me less house-rent. I should thus draw Rs. 550, less Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 house-rent = Rs. 400. 
If this arrangement is sanctioned, no extra expenditure will be entailed on the Travancore 
Government. 


28 






110 


Order —dated 22nd February 1886, No. 181. 


Leave granted. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) W. WILSON, 

Acting Chief Secretary. 


(20)— G.O ., dated 18 th July 1895, No. 471, Political. 

Read —the following paper :— 

From J. P. HEWETT, Esq., c.i.e., Officiating Secretary to the Government 
of India, Home Department (Medical), to the Chief Secretary to the 
Government of Madras, dated Simla, the 29th June 1895, No. 454. 


I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 80 (Political), 

A , dated the 16th January 1895, in which 

Addressed to the Foreign Department, £ £ ,i i j ,, n 

° 1 you refer tor the orders ot the Govern¬ 

ment of India the question whether the period during which Surgeon-Captain 
Thomson was employed under the Travancore State as Medical Officer of the 
Nayar Brigade from August 1887 to the 3rd April 1894 should count for leave 
under the Civil or Military rules. 


2. The views of the Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras and 
the Accountant-General, Madras, differ on this point. The former contends that 
Surgeon-Captain Thomson’s appointment in the Travancore State should be 

„ , . _ . -r regarded, under the orders contained in 

Finance Department iiesolution, J\o. 4117, ,, ° n • n . n- -i 

dated the 31st December 1864. the resolution marginally noted, as a Civil 

charge, inasmuch as he was nominated 
to it by the Political Department and drew his pay entirely from the Travancore 
Government and the allowance for the charge of the Residency hospital from the 
Civil Department. On the other hand the Accountant-General, Madras, holds that 
the resolution above quoted does not apply to the case, and that Surgeon-Captain 
Thomson was neither in Civil nor Military employ during the period he held the 
Nayar Brigade appointment, but in foreign service. He further considers that 
Dr. Thomson’s service in the Civil Department commenced only when he was 
replaced by the Darbar at the disposal of the Madras Government, and that under 
Article 13 of the Civil Service Regulations his active service for the purpose of 
calculating the leave due to him under Civil Leave Rules began on the 4th April 
1894, the date of his substantive appointment as District Surgeon, South Arcot. 


3. In reply I am to say that the Government of India consider that the view 
taken by the Accountant-General, Madras, is correct. The Nayar Brigade appoint¬ 
ment is not a cadre appointment of the Indian Medical Service, and Surgeon- 
Captain Thomson’s appointment thereto was a transfer to foreign service of the 
first kind. When an officer is transferred to such service he remains under the 
leave rules to which he was subject before his transfer, and Dr. Thomson’s service 
in the Nayar Brigade must, therefore, be held to count for leave under the Military 
and not under the Civil Regulations. 


Order —dated 18th July 1895, No. 471, Political. 

Communicated to the Surgeon-General and the Accountant-General in con¬ 
tinuation of G.O., dated 16th January 1895, No. 29. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 





Ill 


Proceedings of the Madras Government, Political Department, 
dated 22 nd July 1896, No. 454. 

Read —the following :— 

From the Accountant-General, dated 22nd June 1896, No. 1903. 

I have the honour to solicit the orders of Government on the following case :— 

Captain F. W. Dawson, Commanding Body Guard and Nayar Brigade, enquires 
whether letter No. 454, Home Department, dated 29th June 1895, from the Gov¬ 
ernment of India, communicated in the Madras Government Order No. 471, Political, 
dated 18th July 1895, applies to him so as to enable him to add the leave earned 
prior to his transfer to the Travancore State to the leave earned subsequently. In 
the letter of the Government of India quoted above, it is ruled that when an officer 
is transferred to foreign service of the first kind, he remains under the leave rules 
to which he was subject before his transfer. Captain Dawson held the appoint¬ 
ment of Assistant Resident, Travancore, from 4th May 1889 to 30th October 1895, 
during which period he was subject to the Civil Leave Rules. He was transferred 
to the Nayar Brigade on the 81st October 1895. The order transferring his 
services to the Travancore State does not show whether it had been arranged that 
Captain Dawson should or should not forfeit a lien upon or a right to return to his 
substantive office of Assistant Resident ( vide article 843, Civil Service Regulation) 
nor does the order appointing Captain Andrews to be Assistant Resident touch, 
upon this point. 

If it be held that Captain Dawson had no lien on the above appointment but 
reverted to the Military Department, he will then be subject to the Military Leave 
Rules. If, on the other hand, it be held that Captain Dawson should not forfeit a 
lien on that appointment, the Government of India Ruling would apply to him, and he 
could count the service in the Travancore State conjointly with his previous service 
in the Civil Department under the Civil Leave Rules. I have the honour, therefore, 
to request that I may be informed, on what appointment if any, Captain Dawson 
should be held to have a lien while employed in the Travancore State. 


Order —dated 22nd July 1896, No. 454, Political. 

The Government is of opinion that Captain Dawson should be considered to 
have a lien on the appointment of Assistant Resident, Travancore and Cochin. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) C. H. B. BURLTON, 
for Chief Secretary. 





112 


YL—RANK AND PRECEDENCE OF MILITARY OFFICERS SERVING 

IN THE BRIGADE. 


From Colonel D. NEWALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to Captain 
0. W. GRAY, Commanding Her Highness the Ranee’s Troops, dated Head¬ 
quarters, Trivandrum, 24th May 1825. 

I have the honour to forward to you a copy of the Standing Orders established 
for the guidance of the Officer Commanding at Trivandrum. 

District order by .’Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant Welsh. 

With the concurrence of the British Resident the following Standing Orders 
are issued for the conduct of the Troops at Trivandrum :—• 

So long as the head-quarters or detachments of two corps of different services are 
stationed in and near the cantonment, the senior officer holding a commission in the British 
•rmy, whether in Her Highness the Itanee’s or the Honourable Company’s service, shall issue 
the parole daily, and whenever the troops of both services are assembled together on any 
public occasion he shall assume the General Command, but on no other occasion shall he inter¬ 
fere with the troops of the other service. 

The Command of the cantonment is vested exclusively in the senior officer with the Com¬ 
pany’s Troops. 

He will regulate all the details, &c., and be considered responsible for the states of all the 
public buildings therein. 

Salutes. 

The Sovereign of the country to be saluted with 21 guns and all the troops presenting 
arms whenever she comes to the cantonment or passes through it. 

All guards to fall in and present arms to the Princes of Travancore whenever they may 
pass their posts. 

The British Resident to be saluted with 17 guns whenever he comes to and quits the 
cantonment. All guards turning out to him and saluting with 3 ruffles between reveille and 
9 o’clock a.m. and between 5 p.m., and retreat beating. 

The Officer Commanding the Travancore Subsidiary Force to be in like manner saluted with 
] 1 guns and 1 ruffle. 

The Commandant of the cantonment will at all times pay prompt obedience to any order 
he may receive from the British Resident direct, and comply with any requisitions he may 
receive from the Ranee through Captain Lethbridge or the Killedar for the time being. 

(A true copy.) 

Head-quarters in Travancore, (Signed) W. P. CUNNINGHAM, 

Quilon, 23rd May 1825. M.B.T.S. Forces. 


(1) —Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 24th May 1836, Nos. 15 and 
16 —Vide paper No. (1) under section III. 


(2)— Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 8th 
September 1854, No. 5, Political Department. 

We have the honour to submit for your consideration a letter from the 

In Consultation, 8th August 1854. Resident of Travancore and Cochin for¬ 

warding a memorial addressed to His 
Highness the Rajah of Travancore by Captain Dalv, a local officer of the Navar 
Brigade, soliciting promotion to the Brevet rank of Major. 

2. The Resident represents that Captain Daly is a highly deserving officer, has 
served 35 years in the brigade and has held the rank of Captain since 1836, but 





113 


that it is the effect which his promotion to the rank of Major might have on the 
future appointment of Company’s officers to the brigade, that has induced him to 
refer the application for our instructions. 

3. The Nayar Brigade having been invariably commanded by officers holding 
the rank of Regimental Captain, Brevet-Major and Major in the Company’s army, 
we doubted the expediency of His Highness the Rajah conferring on Captain Daly 
the Brevet rank of Major, and informed the Resident that we would refer the 
question for the orders of your Honourable Court and that pending your decision 
the Rajah should be requested to defer granting the prayer of Captain Daly’s 
memorial. We accordingly submit the papers for the consideration of your Honour¬ 
able Court, and request that we may be favoured with your eat-ly instructions on 
the subject. 


(3)— Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 6th 
December 1854, No. 107, Military Department. 

The observation recorded by you in your minute of the 8th August 1854, viz., 
that as “ the Nayar Brigade appears to have been invariably commanded by officers 
holding the rank of Regimental Captain, Brevet-Major and Major in the Company’s* 
army, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council doubts the expediency of His 
Highness the Rajah of Travancore conferring on Captain Daly, a local officer of the 
brigade, the Brevet rank of Major” has our entire concurrence. We therefore 
cannot recommend to His Highness to comply with Captain Daly’s application. 

2. We notice with satisfaction the testimony borne by the Resident at Travan¬ 
core to the character and services of Captain Daly. 


(4)— G.O., dated I4ith March 1861, No. 146, Political. 

Rrad —the following letter :—• 

No. 22. From F. N. MALTBY, Esq., Resident of Travancore and Cochin, to 
T. PYCROFT, Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. 
George, dated 11th February 1861, No. 9. 

I have the honour to forward, for the instructions of Government, a letter 
from Colonel Faunce, Commanding the Nayar Brigade, submitting for decision two 
questions affecting the rank of officers in the brigade which he commands. 

2. The first question is whether Lieutenant Hay who first joined the brigade, 
or Captain Young, his senior in Her Majesty’s Indian Army, holds the senior rank 
in the Nayar Brigade. 

3. On Captain Young’s joining the brigade it was thought that he was the 
senior and (Colonel Faunce being absent and Lieutenant Hay in temporary 
command of the brigade) Captain Young assumed the command from (local) 
Captain Hay. 

4. The papers which Colonel Faunce has laid before me have satisfied me that 
this was a mistake, and that officers in the brigade should rank according to the 
date of the commission received from His Highness the Rajah, and Lieutenant 
Hay’s commission as Captain in the brigade of His Highness dates before Captain 
Young’s. This, I think, is distinctly ruled by the order of the Governor-General 
of India. 

5. Captain Playfair, now absent on leave, and who has been for some time 
permanently appointed to the brigade would, I think, unquestionably not be 
superseded by Captain Young ; and the only question is whether the fact of Captain 
Hay holding only a temporary appointment to the brigade, while Captain Young 
has been gazetted as permanently appointed, makes any difference. Colonel 
Faunce is of opinion that it does not, and I concur with Colonel Faunce, because 

29 




114 


I think that if any other rule is followed in the brigade than that of the date of 
His Highness' commission, much inconvenience will result. 

6. I have the honour to request that I may be favoured with the instructions 
of Government on this subject, because I am under the impression that the Govern¬ 
ment in appointing Captain Young supposed that he would take precedence of 
Captain Hay. 

7. The second question has reference to the relative rank of Dr. Waring, 
Physician to His Highness the .Rajah, and Captain Young who is Dr. Waring’s 
senior in army rank. 

8. The rank of the Durbar Physician has formed the subject of previous 
correspondence. On a former occasion the Physician (Dr. Paterson) was allotted a 
rank next to the Officer Commanding the brigade. But on a remonstrance from 
Captain Daly, a local officer of very long service, the question was referred to 
Madras when my predecessor General Cullen was instructed to ascertain what was 
the practice at other Durbars and to assign the rank of the officers at the Durbar 
as appeared to be right. Afterwards, in consideration of Captain Daly’s long 
service, it was ruled that the Durbar Physician should rank next to Captain Daly, 
second in command of the Nayar Brigade. 

9. I have carefully considered the subject in all its bearings, and I believe that 
the following course is open to as little inconvenience as any that can be proposed. 

10. In deference to his position as Physician to His Highness the Rajah and 
head of his department, I propose that the Durbar Physician should, at Durbars, 
rank and sit next to the Officer Commanding the brigade and before the second 
in command, and that the officers of the brigade take rank according to their 
commissions in the Rajah’s service. 

11. But as, by the Governor-General’s order, “ when acting with the forces of 
“ the British Government the relative rank and command of such British officers 
“ shall be regulated by the date and tenor of their actual or effective commissions 
“ in the British service respectively.” So, I think that with reference to officers 
not in the Rajah’s service and in general society, rank should be determined by the 
standing of the officers in the British service. 

12. This will obviate some anomalies. For instance it is not right that a 
junior officer serving in the brigade should, on the ground of his local rank, super¬ 
sede a senior Officer Commanding the Resident’s escort. One might be a young 
ensign just appointed to the brigade, the other a Lieutenant of long service. 

13. I believe that the rule I propose is analogous to that followed in the 
British armju A Captain transferred to a regiment will regimentally be the last 
of the Captains, but I believe that in society he takes rank according to his stand¬ 
ing as a Captain in the army. 

14. I have the honour to request that I may be favoured with the instructions 
of Government on these subjects. 


From Colonel R. N. EAIJNCE, Commanding Navar Brigade, to F. N. MALTBY, Esq., British 
Resident of Travancore and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 19th January 1861, No. 7. 

I have the honour, at the request of Captain Young, to refer to you the question “ as to 
whether Dr. Waring or Captain Young takes precedence in society.” 

2. I have also the honour to forward copy of a letter to my address from Captain Hay, on 
the subject of his relative rank in the brigade with that of Captain Young. 

As each officer on joining the brigade is appointed a Captain therein and draws pay in 

Vide copy Of letters and G.O.G.G. annexed. th , at ^nk it would appear that Captain Hay 

who joined the brigade some months prior to 
Captain Ybung, should take precedence accordingly and that Captain Young must rank as the 
junior officer in the brigade agreeably to the decision of the Grovemor-Greneral, dated 19th 
September 1836, No. 182, and this appears to me to be in strict conformity with Her Majesty’s 
Regulations, in which an officer removed (as Captain, &o.,) from one corps to another invariably 
enters his pew regiment as junior of his grade, without reference to his army rank. 


f 



115 


It may be remarked that Captain Hay’s appointment to this brigade is temporary, but. an 
officer appointed temporarily to do duty with another regiment has all the privileges of his rank 
and position. 

Captain Hay therefore, I conceive, must take rank in the brigade senior to Captain Young. 


3. The relative position in society of Dr. Waring, Physician to His Highness, and that 
of Captain Young, it appears to me, is beyond my province to remark upon ; but there being some 
records in the brigade relating to this subject, I have embodied the two questions in one letter 
as the position of H is Highness’ Physician appears also to have been assigned with reference to 


the rank of an officer of the brigade. 


From letters as per margin between the British Resident and Offioer Commanding the 

brigade, it appears that Assistant Surgeon 
Paterson, Physician to His Highness the 
Eajah, was finally assigned a position next to 
Captain Daly and a^ove that of Captain Staig, 
and Assistant Surgeon Waring (who ranks as 
Captain from the 9th November 1355), after 
his appointment as Physician to the Rajah, 
took the place assigned to the Physician, next to Captain Daly, and above Captains Staig and 
Playfair, both these officers being Captain Young’s seniors. 


From the Resident, to the Officer Commanding, No. 
1174, 14th August 1851. 

From the Resident, to Dr. Paterson, No. 1173, 14th 
August 1851. 


I.e., after 
warrant. 


six years’ service, agreeably to the new 


From Captain J. C. HAY, Commanding 1st Battalion, to Colonel R. N. FAUNCE, Commanding 
Nayar Brigade, dated Trivandrum, 12th January 1861. 


I have the honour to call your attention to the records of letters in the brigade office, dated 

as per margin, and the orders of 

From the Ag. Resdt. to the Officer Comdg., No. 260, 4th March 1839. 

From do. do. to do. do. „ 357, 25th „ ,, 

From the Officer Comdg., to the Ag. Resdt., „ 21, 28th „ ,, 

Memo, from the Ag. Resdt., to Officer Comdg.,,, 447, 12th April „ 

Memorial of Capt. Daly, to the Madras Govt., 21st March 1839. 


the Gfovernment of India of the 
19th September 1836, No. 182, 
therein referred to, by which I am 
led to infer that I rank above 
Captain Young both in point of 
precedence and the duties in the brigade, for I rank as Captain in the brigade from the 30th 
June 1860, whereas he, Captain Young, ranks as Captain in the brigade from the 21st 
September 1860. 

Should you entertain any contrary opinion, I beg leave to request that, if necessary, you 
will refer the question to superior authority, and thus settle the point, as it is of the utmost 
importance to me, so long as I may remain attached to the Nayar Brigade. 


(True Copy.) 


(Signed) R. N. FAUNCE, 

Commanding Nayar Brigade. 


From A. DOUGLAS, Esq., Acting Resident, to the Officer Commanding Nayar Brigade, dated 

Trivandrum, 25th March 1839, No. 357. 

I have the honour to forward copy of a reply from the Chief Secretary to Government to 
my reference on the subject of the relative seniority of Captains Daly and Logan in the Nayar 
Brigade, and to request you will have the goodness to issue the necessary orders accordingly. 


From ROBERT CLERK, Esq., Secretary to Government, to the Acting Resident in Travan- 
core and Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 19th March 1839, No. 81. 

I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of the 6th instant, with a copy of the instructions which you bad issued providing 
for"the command of the Nayar Brigade during the absence of Major Campbell, and in reference 
to the annexed copy of an order by the Governor-General of India in Council, to observe that 
the temporary command would appear to devolve on Captain H. W. Daly. 


G.O., No. 182 of 1836. 

The Governor-General of India in Council is pleased to direct that. British officers serving 
on Military establishments of Native powers shall, as regards such Native service and when 
doing duty with one another, take rank and command according to the priority of their respective 
appointments in the rank which they hold in that service ; but when acting with the forces of 







116 


the British Government, the relative rank and command of such British officers shall he regulated 
by the date and tenor of their actual or effective commissions in the British service respectively. 


(A true Copy.) 

(Signed) 

(True Copies.) 


KOBERT CLERK, 

Secretary to Government. 


(Signed) F. N. MALTBY, 

Resident. 


No. 23. Order thereon, 14th March 1861, No. 146. 

The Government approve of the course proposed by the Resident in paragraphs 
9 to 11 of his letter for regulating the rank of the Durbar Physician and the 
officers of the Nayar Brigade, and direct that it be accordingly followed. 

(Signed) T. PYCROFT, 

Chief Secretary. 

(5)— C.O., dated 21s£ April 1881, Nos. 221, 222, Political. 

Read —the following papers :— 

From W. DUMERGUE, Esq., Assistant Resident in charge,. Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 14th 
December 1880, No. 123 [Current No. 634], 

Abstract. —Forwarding, with remarks, a memorial from Mr. W. E. Ormsby on the subject 
of his rank and precedence in the State of Travancore addressed to His Excellency the Viceroy in 
Council. 


From H. M. DURAND, Esq., Under Secretary to the Government of India, 
Foreign Department (General), to the Chief Secretary to Government, 
dated Fort William, 11th January 1881, No. 46-G.G. [Current No. 39]. 

Abstract.— Forwarding, for the consideration of the Madras Government, memorials from 
certain gentlemen and asking for a report from the Resident of Travancore on the question of the 
rank to be given at the Residency to high officers of that State. 


From A. MacGREGOR, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief 
Secretary to Government, dated Peermade, 24th March 1881, No. 29. 

Abstract. —Submitting remarks on the subject cf the memorials referred to in the foregoing 
letters accompanied by a list, copy of which is annexed, showing the relative position of officials in 
Travancore compared with the Gradation List of the Royal Warrant:— 


List showing what seems to be the relative position of officials in Travancore compared with the 
Gradation List of the Royal Warrant. 


No. in 
Warrant. 

Designation according to Warrant. 

Designation in Travanoore. 

33 

Residents on pay of Rs. 2,000 and more within their 
own charges. 

Resident of Travancore, in Travancore. 

37 

Archdeacons of Calcntta, Madras and Bombay 

Bishop in Travancore. 

38 

Brigadier-General 

Commandant Nayar Brigade. 

39 

Colonel, Snrgeon-Major, tw'enty years’ standing ... 

Durbar Physician. 

55 

Chief Engineers, second and third class, under 
Local Governments. 

Chief Engineer in Travancore. 

56 

District and Sessions Judge within their charges... 

European Judge of the Sadr Court. 

68 

Senior Chaplain 

Chaplain of Trivandrum (if a Senior Chaplain). 

72 

Officers in second class not reserved Cov. C.S., 
Educational Department officers, first grade. 

Principal of Maharajah’s College. 

73 

Majors ... ... ... ... ... ... 

Officers Commanding 1st and 2nd Battalions, 
Nayar Brigade (if not above rank of Major). 

74 

Political Agents on pay less than Rs. 1,000 

Assistant Resident (if not above Civilian of twelve 
years or Captain). 

77 

Officers in third class not reserved .Cov. C.S., Edu. 

Professor, Maharajah’s College, Commercial 


cational department officers, second grade. 

Agent, and Conservator of Forests. 


Executive Engineers, first grade, &c. 

Senior Assistant Engineer. 


(Signed) A. MacGREGOR, n 
Resident. 












Order thereon, 21st April 1881, Nos. 221, 222. 

Abstract. —Directing that Mr. MacGregor’s letter of the 24th March 1881, No. 29, be 
transmitted to the Government of India with an expression of approval by His Excellency the 
Governor in Council of the principle laid down therein. A letter addressed accordingly to that 
Government. 


(6)— G.O ., dated 4<th July 1881, No. 342, Political . 

Read —the following letter :— 

From T. HOPE, Esq., Officiating Assistant Secretary to the Government of 
India, Foreign Department (Political), to the Officiating Chief Secretary 
to Government, dated Simla, 20th June 1881, No. 178-G.P. [Current 
No. 347]. 

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 222, of the 21st 
April 1881, regarding precedence in Travancore. 

2. The Resident in Travancore and Cochin, in reporting on the subject of the 
rank and precedence of certain European officials of the Travancore State, forwards 
copy of a list drawn up by him showing the relative positions of officials in that 
State as compared with the Gradation List of the Royal Warrant, and suggests 
the expediency of a ruling on the subject. Mr. MacGregor’s proposals are approved 
by the Government of Madras. 

3. I am to say that the list submitted by the Resident seems to have been 
framed with a due regard to the reasonable claims of all concerned, and the Gov¬ 
ernor-General in Council desires that it may be acted upon for the future. 


Order thereon, 4th July 1881, No. 342. 


Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin and to the Military 
Department. 


(True Extract.) 


(Signed) C. G. MASTER, 

Officiating Chief Secretary . 


(7)— G.O., dated 5 th May 1885, No. 301, Political. 


Read —the'following papers :— 

From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Chief Secretary to Government, dated Trivandrum, 18th November 1884, 
No. 142. 


I have the honour to forward, for the consideration and orders of Government, 


No. 174, dated lltb November 1884, from 
Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. Brodie Ketchen, 
Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the British 
Resident and its enclosures. 


copies of the papers noted in the margin. 

2. Lieutenant J. A. Wyllie, Com¬ 
manding the First Battalion of the Nayar 
Brigade, makes application to have a neet 
or commission issued to him as ‘ Major ’ 
in His Highness the Maharaja’s service. 


3. He chiefly bases his claim on G.O., No. 342 of 4th July 1881, whereby he 
asserts that “ the rank of Major in the Travancore State is conferred ” upon him, 
and in this view he is supported by Lieutenant-Colonel Ketchen. 

4. I have never myself looked upon the Government order in question as 
conferring ‘ rank ’ on the officers specified in the list drawn up by the Resident and 
approved by the Governor-General, as I considered that the order referred only to 
social and official precedence in this State. 


30 





118 


5. I notice, however, that, in the Quarterly Army List, published by authority 
in the Adjutant-General’s office, at page 254, Lieutenant-Colonel Ketchen is entered 
“ with rank and precedence of Brigadier-General,” and Lieutenant Wyllie is also 
entered “ with rank and precedence of Major ”—G.Os., No. 348, of 12th September 
1872, and No. 342 of 4th July 1881, being quoted. 

6. G.O., No. 182 of 1836, quoted by Lieutenant Wyllie, refers to the status of 
officers in Native service “ as regards such Native service and when doing duty 
with one another,” and the papers further quoted refer to the question of seniority 
amongst the officers of the brigade, which is to be determined by the date of their 
commissions granted by the Maharaja, and not by their seniority in the British 
service. 

7. Lieutenant Wyllie evidently fears that, should a British Captain or Major be 
now appointed to fill the vacancy in the brigade, he may take rank and precedence 
over him. 

8. No doubt before now the anomaly has been seen here of a Major Command¬ 
ing the Brigade over a Colonel Commanding a Battalion, but the in-coming officers 
know that on entering His Highness the Maharaja’s service they must waive their 
rank in the British army, and I know of no valid objection to their receiving by 
neet the local rank in Travancore of ‘ Major ’ and at the same time the Commandant 
of the brigade might receive a neet, giving him the rank of Brigadier-General; the 
anomaly would not then be apparent. 

9. In reference to precedent, I would refer to this office letter, No. 35 of 13th 
May 1836, and letter from the Chief Secretary to Government to Resident, Travan¬ 
core, No. 764 of 24th May 1836. 

10. I do not, however, consider the grounds on which the rank is claimed to 
be correct, and request to be furnished with the views of Government before 
addressing the Maharaja on the subject. 


Enclosukes. 

From Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. BRODIE KETCHEN, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the 
British Resident in Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 11th November 1884, No. 174. 

In forwarding letter, No. 110, dated 8th instant, from Lieutenant Wyllie, Commanding First 
Battalion of the Nayar Brigade under my command, I have the honour to request that you will 
be so good as to lay the matter before His Highness the Maharaja at your early convenience, as 
an officer will no doubt shortly be appointed to the vacancy caused by Captain Welch’s services 
having been replaced at the disposal of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. 

2. I would observe that, in my opinion, Lieutenant Wyllie’s claim to receive a commission 
as Major from His Highness is in conformity with the intention of the Supreme Government 
as set forth in G.O., No. 182 of 1836, and paragraph 2 of G.O., No. 342 of 1881, It is also in 
accordance with old established custom. 

3. I believe, with the exception of the Brigade officers, all the officials in His Highness’ 
service have already received neets or commissions from His Highness bestowing on them the 
rank assigned to them in G.O., No. 342 of 1881 ; as a matter of fact the positions assigned to 
them by the Government order were founded upon the possession of these neets. As the rank 
conferred on officers in the brigade by that Government order was also assigned to them purely 
on account of the position held by them in the service of His Highness, I consider it is only fitting 
that they should receive His Highness’ neet or commission conferring upon them similar rank 
in His Highness’ service, and that they should take rank in Travancore among themselves 
according to the rank held in His Highness’ service. 

4. Rank granted by His Highness has always been recognised by the British Government, 
and officers of the brigade were styled accordingly both in brigade orders and in all official 
correspondence as also in the proceedings of Government (tide the G.Os. attached to Lieu¬ 
tenant Wyllie’s letter). They also took rank according to the dates of the commissions received 
from His Highness, and it was in the opinion of the (then) Resident clearly ruled by the Governor- 
General that they should do so [vide paragraph 4 of Mr. Maltby’s letter to the Chief Secretary 
to Government, dated 11th February 18fil, No. 9). 

5. Without His Highness’ commission there is nothing to show that the officers of the 
brigade belong to His Highness’ service, and if they are to rank among themselves according to 



/ 


119 

the dates of Ilis Highness’ commission it is necessary that they should be in possession of neets 
conferring the rank on them. 

I think the present circumstances, as pointed out by Lieutenant Wyllie, afford a fitting 
opportunity for the subject being laid before His Highness. 

6. It is of course clearly understood that rank conferred by His Highness gives no claim 
to extra pay, the pay of the appointments in the Nayar Brigade being consolidated and 
irrespective of the rank of the officers holding them. 


From Lieutenant J. A. WYLLIE, Commanding First Battalion, Nayar Brigade, to the Com¬ 
manding Officer, Nayar Brigade, dated Trivandrum, 8th November 1884, No. HO. 

I have the honour to request that you will forward, for submission to His Highness the 
Maharaja of Travancore, this my application for a commission as Major in His Highness’ 
service. I make this request in accordance with the established practice of the Travancore 
Government in the case of former officers of the Nayar Brigade, and with the provisions of G.O., 
No. 342 of 4th July 1881, by paragraph 2 of which the rank of Major in the Travancore State 
is conferred upon me. 

2. In doing so my sole object is to establish beyond dispute the fact of my seniority in the 
brigade should at any time an officer holding a commission either senior to, or of higher rank 
than, mine in the British service be appointed to a vacant battalion command. I thoroughly 
understand, should my request be granted, that this gives me no claim to increased pay, nor is 
my position in the table of precedence in any way affected by it. 

3. The Government of India in their G.O., No. 182 of 1836, distinctly lay down that officers 
serving with the forces of Native States take rank and command according to the dates of their 
local commissions. This ruling is adopted by the Madras Government and reasserted (with 
special application to the case of the officers of the Nayar Brigade) in Madras G.O., No. 146 of 
the 14th March 1.861, as recommended by the British Resident in Tranvancore in paragraph 10 
of his letter, No. 9 of 11th February 1861 (extracts attached hereto). It is also embodied in 
rule 4 of the Brigade Standing Orders, with the sanction of His Highness the Maharaja. 

4. Thus, in claiming rank and seniority as Major, I claim nothing more than is justly due 
to me and is recognised as my due by the Supreme Government in the Government orders, 
copies of which I append. But the fact of my not having as yet received a Major’s commission 
from His Highness the Maharaja might, if the question were raised, be urged as an argument 
for my exclusion from the beneifits of the rule. 

5. I have further to request that this matter may be taken into early consideration, as a new 
officer may at any time be appointed to fill the command just vacated by Captain Welch, and 
if senior to me in the British service difficulties may occur similar to those raised by Captain 
Young in 1861 —vide extracts of letter to Government from British Resident in Travancore 
(attached). 


From Brigadier-General GODFREY CLERK, Adjutant-General, to the Secre¬ 
tary to Government, Military Department, dated Ootacamund, 24th March 
1885, Mis. No. 619-0. 

T have the honour to return the correspondence referred under your memo¬ 
randum, No. 40, dated the 6th January last, having reference to an application from 
Lieutenant J. A. Wyllie, Madras Staff Corps, employed in the Nayar Brigade, to have 
a ‘ neet’ or commission issued to him as ‘Major’ in the service of His Highness 
the Maharaja. 

2. This correspondence has been submitted to His Excellency the Commander-in- 
Chief, and I am desired to say with reference to it that the practice of a ‘ neet ’ or 
commission from a Native State being accepted, by an officer of the British service 
temporarily lent to such State, does not commend itself to the Commander-in-Chief. 

Nor is there anything on record to show that officers of the British service lent 
to Travancore or any other Native State have ever been authorized to accept ‘ neets ’ 
or commissions from the head of such State, and even were the acceptance thereof 
permitted no such local ‘ neet ’ or commission should, His Excellency considers, 
confer rank and command on a junior officer over his senior, when both are officers 
holding commissions in the British service. 

3. Special official and social precedence, while serving in the Travancore State, 
has been conferred by Proceedings of Government, No. 342 of 1881, on British 
officers lent to that State. 


L 




120 


This precedence, it is however understood, merely meant to give the officer a 
certain position at durbars and other local entertainments and ceremonies relatively 
with other officers employed under the same G-overnment, some of whom—like the 
officers employed in the Nayar Brigade—may be temporarily lent, while others 
again may be permanently in the service of the Travancore Government. 

Thus, precedence as Majors is given in Travancore to Officers Commanding 
Battalions of the Nayar Brigade by Proceedings of Government, No. 342 of 1881, but 
that Proceedings of Government does not, as stated by Lieutenant Wyllie, confer on 
him the rank of Major in Travancore. 

4. As regards paragraph 5 of the Resident’s letter, No. 142, dated the 18th 
November last, I am to inform Government that that portion of the Army List 
having reference to the Nayar Brigade does not come under review in this office ; 
but is presumably passed in proof by the Officer Commanding the Nayar Brigade. 


No. 1626. 

the referred papers returned to the Political Department. 
(By order). 

(Signed) A. KENNEY-HERBERT, Lt.-Colonel, 

Offg. Secy, to Govt., Mily. Dept. 


Order —dated 5th May 1885, No. 301, Political. 

His Excellency the Governor in Council observes that there is nothing on record 
to show that officers of the British service lent to the Tranvancore State have ever 
been authorized to accept a ‘ neet ’ or commission, nor, in the opinion of His Excel¬ 
lency, would the grant of such a commission confer rank on a junior over his senior 
when both are officers holding commissions in the British service. Lieutenant 
Wyllie’s application to His Highness the Maharaja does not commend itself to the 
Government, aDd it should therefore be now withdrawn. 

(True Extract.) 

E. F. WEBSTER, 

Chief Secretary ► 


Transferred and 


Fort St. George, 
26^ March 1885. 




VII.—CONDITIONS AND PRIVILEGES OE THE OFFICE OF THE 
COMMANDANT OF THE BRIGADE. 


(1 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 20 th December 1831, Nos. 8 

and 9, Political Department. 

Read —the following papers :— 

No. 8. From E. CADOGAN, Esq., Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 
6th December 1831, No. 322. 

In submitting for the consideration of the Right Honourable the Governor in 
Council a question of some importance in a military point of view, I have the 
honour to solicit such a decision on the subject as may obviate all chance of 
embarrassment here. 

Captain George Faris of the 1st Regiment, Light Cavalry, commanding the 
troops of His Highness the Rajah, is at present the second senior officer in Travan¬ 
core, and in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Downes from sickness or any other 
cause, would become senior officer. 

I am fully aware that in case of any emergency requiring the British troops to 
serve in conjunction with the troops of His Highness, that. Captain Faris would be 
entitled to the benefit of his rank; but it is not equally clear to me that in fortuitously 
becoming senior officer in Travancore, it gives him'the right to assume the command 
of the British troops, inasmuch as his authority might be rendered inoperative by 
the simple circumstance of the Rajah prohibiting his removal from Trivandrum. 


No. 9. From the Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, to the 
Acting Resident in Travancore and Cochin, dated 20th December 
1831. 

I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknow¬ 
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, and to acquaint you that if the 
troops of the Honourable Company and those of His Highness the Rajah of Tra¬ 
vancore should have occasion to act together on field service, the senior officer 
present will be entitled to command the whole force; but except on actual service, 
the Officer Commanding the Rajah’s will not be at liberty to interfere with the 
Company’s troops. 


(2)— Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors , dated 
28th June 1843, No. 6, Political Department. 

***** 


14. These proceedings call for no remark except that part which relates to the 

appointment of Lieutenant and Brevet- 
Captain Lockhart to the command of 
the Nayar Brigade in supersession of 
Captain Daly, a local officer, and his 
senior, both in Military rank and in date 
of appointment to the brigade. We are 
of opinion, that Captain Daly ought not 

to have been thus superseded, but that if his succession to the command were 
considered to be inexpedient, an officer, his senior in rank, should have been 
appointed in succession to Major Campbell. 

15. You will revise the arrangement in conformity with this opinion. 


Letter, dated 8th July (No. 6), 1842, paras. 
3 and 4. 

Letter, dated 22nd December (No. 13), 
1842, para. 12. 

Appointments and resignations among the 
officers of the Nayar Brigade in Travancore. 





122 


(3) —Extract from a Despatch to the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated lli/i 
September 1855, No. 13, Political Department—Vide paper IS o. 4 under 
section V. 


(4) —Extract from a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, dated 20 th 
February 1856, No. 17, Military—Vide paper No. 5 under section V. 


(5) — G.O., dated Qth April 1867, No. 93, Political—Vide paper No. 12 
under section 111. 


(6) — G.O., dated 24 th February 1881, No, 101, Political—Vide paper No. 23 

under section 111. 


(7) — G.O., dated 1 6th August 1895, No. 543, Political—Vide paper No. 24 
under section III. 


(8 )—G.O., dated 27 th September 1895, No. 641, Political—Vide paper No. 14 

under section IV. 








VIII.—LIST OP COMMANDANTS OP THE NAYAR BRIGADE WITH ORDERS PERTAINING TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS. 




323 














































124 


]X.—SUPPLY OF ARMS, STORES AND ACCOUTREMENTS AND 

CLOTHING. 


(1 )—Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 24 th January 1820, 

Nos. 17 and 18, Political Department. 

No. 17. From Major S. MoDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Quilon, 
28th December 1819. 

In conseqnence of the resolution of the Right Honourable the Governor in 
Council of 23rd September last, the orders of the Military Board having been 
received here for the issue of a brigade of 6-pounder brass guns and 600 stand 
of arms from the stores at Quilon, I have requested Colonel Sewell to cause the 
early delivery of these equipments. 

I have the honour to enclose a statement of the quantity of ammunition 
required by the Travancore Government, and as some part of the supply is imme¬ 
diately required, I have requested the issue of so much as will serve for present 
use. I have the honour to enclose copy of my letter of this date to the Officer 
Commanding Subsidiary Force upon this subject. 


Statement of Ammunition required for the use of the Travancore Government. 


— 

Powder in 
barrels. 

6-pounder 

saluting 

cartridges. 

Musket- 

shotted 

cartridges. 

Flints. 

Musket 

balls. 

For the use of the chasseurs in the forests 

LBS. 

3,000 



2,500 

10,000 

For practice in two battalions of infantry 
which amount to 2,100 fire-locks, calculated 
according to the regulations for the Honour¬ 
able Company’s service 

2,810 


128,000 

28,000 

For the use of the guns for salutes 


600 



... 

Total ... 

5,810 

600 

128,000 

30,500 

10,000 


From Major S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Officer Com¬ 
manding the Subsidiary Force in Travancore, dated Quilon, 28th December 1819. 

I have had the honour to receive Colonel Rainsford’s letter of the 29th ultimo, and request 
that you will be so good as to give directions for the issue, as soon as possible, of the brigade of 
brass 6-pounder guns with carriages complete and all the necessary appurtenances. 

The tumbrils will contain, I believe, about 600 cartridges of the description of blank 
ammunition usual for salutes, which I request may be packed in the tumbrils and supplied with 
the other equipments. 

The number of fire-locks and bayonets which may have been put in a serviceable state to an 
extent not exceeding 600 stand of arms, I request may be at the same time held in readiness and 
the whole delivered over to Captain Gray commanding the travancore troops. 

It is the intention of the Right Honouralle the Governor in Council that a supply of 
ammunition shall likewise be furnished for the use of the' Travancore Government, I request there¬ 
fore that in the meantime (40) forty 100 lb. barrels of gunpowder, 10,000 musket balls 3 000 
flints, and 50,000 shotted-musket cartridges may be ordered to be supplied. 

The Commissary of Stores -will be pleased to furnish lists of the articles to be supplied and 
to prepare corresponding receipts in duplicate for my signature on their being delivered. 

I request that you will also take the necessary measures for transporting to Trivandrum the 
guns, tumbrils, small arms, stores, and ammunition (with exception of 20 barrels of powder) 
before mentioned under an escort of native troops. 














125 


No. IS. Ordered that a copy of the foregoing letter be transmitted from the 
Military Department for the information and guidance of the Military Board. 


(2)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 31 st January 1820, 

Nos. 7 to 9, Political Department. 

Read —the following extract from the Minutes of Consultation in the Military 
Department, dated 20th December 1819. 

No. 7. From the Military Board, to the Right Honourable HUGH ELLTOT, 
Governor in Council, &c., dated Fort St. George, 2nd November 
1819, No. 387. 

We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from the Secretary 
to Government in the Military Department, dated 18th ultimo, accompanied by 
o A a requisition for arms as noted in the 

2,100 muskets and^bayonets. margin, from the British Resident in Tra- 

vancore, for the service of that Govern¬ 
ment and to report that we have directed the supply of the guns from the arsenal 
at Quilon. The store department in Travancore not being (by the latest returns 
in our office) equal to meet the demand for muskets to its full extent, we have 
directed the despatch from Trichinopoly of 1,500 old muskets and bayonets, they 
having been previously repaired sufficiently to render them available for the 
required purpose, and to complete the number we have called upon the Officer 
Commanding in Travancore to report (in communication with the British Resident) 
the number of arms in store at Quilon which can be sufficiently repaired for the 
purposes for which they are required. Should the number prove unequal to the 
demand, we must either direct the supply of new arms on the spot or send old 
arms from the presidency. 

Ordered that copy of the foregoing report be furnished to the Political Depart¬ 
ment, in reference to the communication received from it under date the 8th of 
October. 


No. 8. Ordered in consequence that the following letter be despatched to the 
Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 


No. 9. From the Chief Secretary to Government, to the Resident in Travancore 
and Cochin, dated 7th January 1820, No. 9. 

With reference to your letter of the 23rd September last, I am directed to 
transmit the enclosed copy of a report from the Military Board of 2nd November 
last. 


(3)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 19 th April 1820, 

No. 11, Political Department. 

No. 11. From the Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, to 
Lieutenant-Colonel S. McDOUALL, Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 19th April 1820. 

With reference to your letter of the 28th December, I am directed by the 
Right Honourable the Governor in Council to transmit for your information the 
enclosed copy of one from the Military Board, reporting that arrangements have 
been made to enable the Ordnance Store Department at Quilon to furnish the 
supplies required for the use of the Travancore Government. 


32 







126 


(4)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated ]8th February 1831, 

IS os. 11 t) 13, Political Department. 

No. 11. From Major E. CADOGAN, Acting Resi lent in Travancore and Cochin, 
to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated 
Travancore, 9th February 1831, No. 24. 

I have the honour to enclose an indent for arms, accoutrements and stores 
required for the use of the troops of His Highness the Rajah of Travancore for 
payment, and to request that in the event of Government being pleased to sanction 
the issue of the articles from the stores at Quilon, the indent may be returned to 
me before the removal of the stores from this station. 


No. 12. Ordered that the following letters be despatched. 


No. 13. From the Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, to Major 
E. CADOGAN, in charge of the Residency of Travanccre and 
Cochin, dated Fort St. George, 18th February 1831, No. 34. 

I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge 
the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant and to acquaint you that the Military 
Hoard have been authorized to comply with the indent which accompanied it 
for arms, accoutrements and stores required for the use of the Government of 
Travancore if the supply can be made without inconvenience to the public service. 

Copies of both letters to the Military Board. 


From M.R.Ry. R. YENCATA ROW, Dewan, Trivandrum, to Major R. N. 
CAMPBELL, dated Huzzoor Cutcherry, Trivandrum, 31st July 1838, 
No. 973—1838. 

1. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 24 under 
date the 12th ultimo, forwarding a statement of the articles of clothing, &c , to be 
supplied to the brigade by the Sircar at stated periods, which, I am glad to inform 
you, has been sanctioned by His Highness the Rajah. 

2. With reference tothe third paragraph of your letter above adverted to, 
I am directed by His Highness to inform you that he is not willing to cancel the 
arrangement therein alluded to, which he had once finally confirmed. 


Memorandum by Major R. N. CAMPBELL, dated Trivandrum , 18 th January 1841, 

1X0. 2 . 

From the formation of the brigade until the 10th April 1831, ten per cent 
from the pay of all Native ranks has been stopped on account of clothing. As, 
however, clothing had never been supplied to the amount of the sums deducted, 
compensation on account of the difference was paid to the men, to a certain extent 
up to the Malabar year 1005 (A.D. 1830). Major Faris who then commanded 
the brigade obtained for them this compensation, but in granting it the Dewan 

intimated in a Malayalam letter * to Major Faris that 
the Dewanht a Xt?nFarS henceforth the brigade would have no claim to compensa- 
dated 29th Pun^uni loots— tion but that in lieu of the stoppages, the Sircar would 
JJwhth'wSwardedtfthe su PP ] y clothing when necessary. The specific articles, 
ltesident in Major Campbell’s however, to be supplied were not stated. In 1836 Major 
sooTa prii i836. eS,dfint ’ dated Campbell represented to the Resident that by the foregoing 

arrangement the Sircar had in the course of about five 
vears, viz., from the date of the decision above alluded to to 14th August 1836, 
gained Rs. 32,985-15-14, being the difference betw'eenthe cost of clothing supplied 








127 


and tlie amount deducted from the men during the above period. This representa- 
* 2 . Major Campbell’s letter ticm was accompanied by a figured statement. * _ The profits 
to tue Resideut above alluded as above shown (Major Campbell believes) constitute the off¬ 
reckoning fund in other service. 

Upon Major Campbell’s representation to the Resident in 1836 t His 
Highness the Rajah sanctioned through the Dewan in 1838 
+ Major Campbell’s Letter specific articles of clothing to be supplied, the estimated 

to the Kesident above alluded 1 „ . p n oa c - 

to. cost ot which was within tts. o 5 007~^0-b per annum or the 

amount stopped from the men. 


+ Major Campbell’s estimates have proved higher than was necessary, as there 
has been already a saving of Rs. 2,239-11-3 on the clothing 
supplied since that period (Nos. 5 and G), and it is expected 
there will be a further saving upon tjie clothing now on the 
road from Madras. 


X Dewan’ Letter to Major 
Campbell, dated 2ist April 
1838. 

Major Campbell’s reply to 
the foregoing, dated 12tli June 


The returns in the Commanding Officer’s office show 
that since 1826 up to the present period a considerable 
reduction in the Native ranks has taken place. They are as 
follows :— 

In 1826 the strength of each company was reduced 
from 100 to 75 privates, and in 1830 a further reduction was made from 75 to 70 
privates which is the present establishment. No addition or diminution of the 
Native Commissioned or Non-commissioned officers, Drummers, Filers or Band has 
taken place. 


1838. 

The Dewan’s letter to Major 
Campbell, dated 31st July 
1838. 

Major Campbell’s letters to 
the Dewan, dated 22nd Novem¬ 
ber 1838 and 20th May 1810. 


With regard to the European ranks a Quartermaster-Sergeant was appointed 
in 1827, an acting Sergeant-Major and Drill Sergeant in 1835, and a Captain to 
command the detachment at and to the northward of Quilon in 1840. 


(5)— Extract from the Minutes of Consultation, dated 8th February 1848, 

Nos . 5 and 6, Revenue. 

No. 5. Read the following letter from Major-General W. CULLEN, Resident of 
Travancore and Cochin, to J. F. THOMAS, Esq., Chief Secretary 
to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 19th January 
1848, No. 4. 

I have the honour to refer for the decision of the Most Noble the Governor in 
Council a claim made by the Acting Collector of Tinnevelly for duty on gun¬ 
powder and military stores proceeding from Palamcottah to Trivandrum, the 
same having been supplied from the arsenal of Palamcoitah on an indent for pay¬ 
ment as sanctioned by Government as per Minutes of Consultation, No. 527 of 
] 6th November last. Such demand of duty was never made until after the promul¬ 
gation of the Act No. VI of 1844, since which the duties upon all articles passing 
the frontier have been much more rigorously exacted. 1 am, however, induced 
to believe that the Government never intended that such duty should be levied 
on military stores supplied from the Company’s own arsenal to a friendly State, 
and I hope, therefore, that the present reference on the subject may not be 
disapproved of. 

The provisions of the Act of 1814 have from the beginning been enforced 
with great strictness on the Tinnevelly frontier, and the supplies for the officers 
in the Company’s service as well as of other European residents in Travancore 
have been frequently detained for many days at the frontier from the want cf a 
certificate of the payment of import duty at Madras, although with passes from the 
European merchants at that place. 

As far as regards gentlemen in the service of the British Government, the 
inconvenience has been removed by a late Minute of Consultation, No. 1341, under 
date the 14th December last. 






123 


No. 6. The Most Noble the Governor in Council resolves to direct that no duty 
be charged on military stores supplied to the Travancore State, and that in the 
case under reference the same rule be applied. 

Ordered that the foregoing resolution be communicated for the information 
and guidance of the Board of Revenue. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) H. C. MONTGOMERY, 

Officiating Chief Secretary. 


(6)— G.O ., dated 2nd November 1859, No. 636, Political. 


No. 8. Read the following letter from Major HEBER DRURY, Assistant Resident 
in charge, Travancore and Cochin, to T. PYCROFT, Esq., Chief 
Secretary to Government, Fort^St. George, dated Trivandrum, 22nd 
October 1859, No. 89. 


A request having been made to me by the Officer Commanding the Nayar 
Brigade to forward an application to Government for permission for the troops 
of the brigade to be supplied in future with their clothing by the Superintendent 
and Agent for Army Clothing at Fort St. George, I have the honour to submit 
the same in compliance with Colonel Faunce’s wishes. That officer states that a 
superior kind of clothing might thus be obtained at a less cost than that now pro¬ 
cured, and should Government view his application favourably, the Sircar would be 
prepared to defray all expenses attendant thereon. 

2. The number of men comprising the brigade consists of about 1,700 of all 
arms, and the periodical issue of clothing is as follows :— 


Jackets once in two years. 

Turbans once in seven years. 
Woollen trousers once in four years. 


Sashes once in ten years. 
Carpets once in five years; 
Knapsacks once in ten years. 


No. 9. Order thereon, 2nd November 1859, No. 636. 

Ordered that the foregoing application be referred to the Superintendent and 
Agent for Army Clothing. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) T. PYCROFT, 

Chief Secretary. 


(7)— G. 0., dated 1 6th January 1860, No. 31, Political. 

Read again letter from Major H. DRURY, in charge of the Residency of Travan¬ 
core and Cochin, dated 22nd October 1859, No. 89. 

Read the following papers :— 

No. 19. From Colonel A. C. SILVER, Acting Superintendent and Agent for Army 
Clothing, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated 5th November 1859, No. 231. 

With reference to the Proceedings of Government No. 636, of date 2nd instant, 
in the Political Department, respecting the clothing of the Nayar Brigade, I have 
the honour to state that I have addressed Major Drury to ascertain details and 
obtain samples of the trousers, jackets and sashes, on receipt of which 1 shall 
be in a position to report on the proposition and to give effect to the orders of 
Government. 

2. Meanwhile, I beg to mention that turbands, carpets and knapsacks might 
be obtained through the Commissariat Department. 






129 


No. 20. From Colonel A. C. SILVER, Acting Superintendent and Agent for Army 
Clothing, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
dated 12th January 1860, No. 244. 

With reference to my letter No. 231, of 5th November last, I have now the 
honour to state that, subject to the approval of Government, the clothing of the 
Nayar Brigade, viz., tunics, sashes and trousers, can be undertaken and supplied 
by this department. 

2. I have ascertained, by communications with the Resident at Travancore, 
that tunics are the garments proximately suppliable to the brigade, and shall be 
prepared to have them made up, if directed to do so, on submission of the necessary 
indent. 

3. The provision of turbands, carpets and knapsacks I beg may be delegated 
to the Commissariat Department. 


No. 21. Order thereon, 16th January 1860, No. 31. 

Ordered that the foregoing letters be communicated to the Resident in Travan¬ 
core, who will submit the necessary indents—one on the Superintendent and Agent 
for Army Clothing for the jackets (tunics), trousers and sashes, and the other 
on the Commissary-General for turbands, carpets and knapsacks required for the 
troops of the Nayar Brigade. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) T. PYCROFT, 

Chief Secretary . 


(8)— G.O., dated 6th November 1862, No. 447, Political. 

No. 9. Read the following letter from WILLIAM FISHER, Esq., Resident of 
Travancore and Cochin, to the Honourable T. PYCROFT, Chief Secre¬ 
tary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 23rd 
October 1862, No. 69. 

I have the honour to forward, herewith, an indent for buff leather accoutre¬ 
ments for the use of the Nayar Brigade of His Highness the Rajah of Travancore, 
and to request that His Excellency the Governor in Council will be pleased to 
sanction the same being supplied from the arsenals nearest to Travancore for 
payment. 


No. 10. Order thereon, 6th November 1862, No. 447. 

Indent forwarded to the Inspector-General of Ordnance and Magazines, in 
view to the necessary orders being issued for the supply, on payment, of the 
accoutrements required for the Nayar Brigade. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. J. ARBETHNOT, 

Chief Secretary. 

d _ 

(9)— G.O ., dated 29 th November 1862, No. 477, Political. 

No. 58. Read the following letter from WILLIAM FISHER, Esq., Resident 
of Travancore and Cochin, to A. J. ARBUTHNOT, Esq., Chief 
Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated Cochin, 22nd 
November 1862, No. 79. 

The Officer Commanding the Nayar Brigade having informed me that he finds 
fifteen per cent, above cost price is charged on stores, issue of which is sanctioned 
from up-country arsenals, whereas only five per cent, premium is charged on 

33 








■' 


130 

similar stores issued from the arsenal at Madras, I have the honour to request that 
the Order of Government, No. 447, of the 6th instant, may be cancelled, and the 
accoutrements sanctioned issued from the Grand Arsenal instead of from that of 
Trichinopoly. 

2. Should my request be acceded to, the Travancore Government will be spared 
unnecessary expense, whilst the accoutrements will be furnished from an arsenal 
more easy of access than that at Trichinopoly. 


No. 59. Order thereon, 29th November 1862, No. 477. 

Ordered to be communicated to the Inspector-General of Ordnance and 
Magazines, who will supply the accoutrements referred to from the arsenal at 
Madras instead of from that of Trichinopoly. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. J. ABBUTHNOT, 

Chief Secretary. 


(10)—<7.0., dated 11 th September 1868, No. 3544, Military. 

No. 279. Read the following letters:— 

From the Resident at Travancore and Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to 
Government, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 20th August 1868, 
No. 40. 

As the Travancore Sirkar is desirous of replacing the flint fusils now in use 
by the Nayar Brigade by the smooth-bore short muskets used by the Native 
regiments, I have the honour to request that the Government will be pleased to 
inform me whether a supply of about 1,342 is available from the arsenal, and of 
the cost of the same. 


Forwarded to the Inspector-General of Ordnance and Magazines for report. 

(Signed) H. SEWELL, 

2 6th August 1868. Under Secretary. 


No. 280. From the Acting Inspector-General of Ordnance and Magazines, to 
the Chief Secretary to Government, dated Fort St. George, 29th 
August 1868, No. 159. 


In returning papers * received with docket from the Under Secretary to 

Government, dated 26th August 1868, I 
have the honour to state that 1 can give 
no decided opinion as to whether the new 
pattern smooth-bore arms can be spared for the purpose mentioned. 

2. The disposal of these arms is now engaging the attention of Government 
t My report to Government, dated 24th August iu the Military Department, t and the 
1868 , No. iso. demand from Travancore will doubtless 

be taken into consideration with the other papers on the subject. 


* Letter from Resident at Travancore and Cochin, 
dated 20th August 1868, No. 40. 


Transferred to the Military Department. 

(Signed) R. S. ELLTS, 

1st September 1868. Chief Secretary. 

No. 281. Order thereon, 11th September 1863, No. 3544. 

# Resolved that it be intimated to the Resident at Travancore, through the 
Political Department, that the description of small arm to be hereafter supplied to 








Native Infantry regiments being presently under the consideration of the Govern¬ 
ment of India, the Governor in Council is unable to comply with the foregoing 
requisition for smooth-bore short muskets for issue to the Nayar Brigade, pending 
the final disposal of that question. 

✓ 

(Signed) II. MARSHALL, Major-Genl., 

Secretary to Government. 

(11)— G.O,, dated 24 th September 1868, No , 210, Political. 


No. 28. Read the following Proceedings of Government in the Military Depart¬ 
ment, dated 11th September 1868, No. 3544. 


Expressing inability, for the present, to 
comply with the requisition for 
smooth-bore short muskets for the 
Nayar Brigade. 


(Vide Proceedings, Military Department, 
dated 11th September 1868, Nos. 
279-281). 


No. 29. Order thereon, 21th September 1868, No. 210. 

Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Couhin. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary. 

(12)— G.O., dated 13 th May 1870, No, 165, Political. 

No. 11. Read the following letter from the Acting Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, dated 
Trivandrum, 16th April 1870, No. 35. 

I have the honour to forward copy of a letter, dated 13th instant, No, 12, 
from the Officer Commanding Nayar Brigade, requesting the permission of Govern¬ 
ment to be allowed to supply the force with new smooth-bore fusils. 

2. As the arms now used by the men of the Nayar Brigade are in a dangerous 
condition, I beg to recommend that this permission may be speedily accorded. 


From the Officer Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the Resident in Travancore 
and Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 13th April 1870, No. 12. 

With reference to former letters concerning arms for the Nayar Brigade, I beg 
you will kindly forward this my earnest request for permission at once to send for 
the ‘ short smooth-bore fusils.’ Our arms (flint-locks) now in use are positively 
dangerous. 

2 . I formerly was persuaded to apply for rifles, but upon better acquaintance 
with the troops under my command, and the duties required of them, I find the 
rifle would be almost useless, as the course of musketry necessary is too difficult of 
acquisition, and would, besides greater expense for the weapon, entail the expense 
of a Musketry Instructor, and as the service leads the men principally into jungle 

* Such as the Cardamon Hills, where they are fre- P 0StS ,* where the g^atest Care required 
quently engaered with smugglers, guarding treasure, and by the more delicate rifle COllld not be 
heavy magazines in the dense jungle, &c. given, &nd yet where an efficieDt we apon 

is absolutely necessary, I trust you will add to this your own urgent recommenda¬ 
tion for immediate permission to obtain the percussion fusils above alluded to. 


No. 12. Order thereon, 13th May 1870, No. 165. 

The Government are of opinion that the Nayar Brigade should be armed with 
the same description of small arms as it is proposed to supply the British Native 







132 


Infantry regiments, the brigade being commanded by British officers and drilled 
on the British system; but, as it seems probable that there will be considerable 
delay in the final disposal of the question, the Government assent, as a. temporary 
measure, to the proposal to arm the Nayar Brigade with short smooth-bore per¬ 
cussion muskets, such as are used by the police in the Madras Presidency. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary. 

» _ __ 

(13)— G.O., dated 21 st July 1870, No. 218, Political. 

No. 24. Read the following letter from the Acting Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, to the Chief Secretary to Government, Ootacamund, dated 
Trivandrum, 14th July 1870, No. 57. 

With reference to the Order of Government, dated 13th- May 1870, No. 165, 
sanctioning the supply of smooth-bore percussion muskets to the Nayar Brigade, I 
have the honour to forward copy of a letter, No. 2814, dated 13th instant, from 
the Dewan, communicating the sanction of His Highness the Maharajah to procure 
the new weapons. 

2. I have already stated that the present arms of the brigade have been 
reported to me as in a dangerous condition, and the need for their renewal was 
urgent, with regard to the safety of the men of the force. 

3. The Sirkar would not have consented to provide the new weapons if there 
were any prospect of further changes and additional expense. I have, therefore, 
informed the Dewan that no further change will be called for as long as the fusils 
about to be supplied remain efficient for service. 

4. I have no hesitation also in recording my opinion that the constitution of 
the force is of that semi-military nature, that to arm it with rifles would be an 
unadvisable measure. 


From the Dewan of Travancore, to the Acting Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin, dated Trivandrum, 13th July 1870, No. 2814-736-R. 

I have the honour to acknowledge your letter, No. 436, of the 2nd ultimo, on 
the subject of the supply of new arms to the Nayar Brigade, and in reply to inform 
you that His Highness the Maharajah has been pleased to accord his sanction to 
the measure, on the understanding that no change in the arms will become necessary 
till the proposed new arms wear out and require to be replaced, as His Highness 
would wish to avoid frequent costly changes. 

2. I beg to enclose copy of my letter on the subject to the Officer commanding 
the brigade. 

No. 25. Order thereon, 21st July 1870, No. 218. 

To be recorded. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) R. S. ELLIS, 

Chief Secretary. 

Proceedings of the Madras Government, Military Department, 
dated 25 th June 1874, No. 2005. 

Read —the following paper :— 

From G. A. BALLARD, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the 
Honourable D. F. CARMICHAEL, Acting Chief Secretary to Govern¬ 
ment, Fort St. George, dated Trivandrum, 15th June 1874, No. 61. 

I have the honour to forward herewith an indent in duplicate for guns, &c., 
required for the use of the Nayar Brigade of His Highness the Maharajah of 






133 


Travancore, and to request the sanction of Government to the same being supplied 
on payment by the Principal Commissary of Ordnance, Fort St. George. 


Transferred to the Military Department for disposal. 

Ootacamtjnd, 1 (Signed) D. F. CARMICHAEL, 

2'drd June 1874. J Acting Chief Secretary. 


Order —dated 25th June 1874, No. 2005, Military. 

Sanctioned on payment, if available. 

(True extract.) 

(Signed) A. C. SILVER, Colonel, 

Secretary to Government. 


(14)— G.O., dated 25 th November 1889, No. 607, Political. 

Read the following Proceedings of the Madras Government, Military Depart¬ 
ment, dated Fort St. George, 14th November 1889, No. 7938. 

Read endorsement of the Political Department, dated 22nd October 1889, C. 
No. 913, approving and transferring to the Military Department, for further 
disposal, a letter from the Resident in Travancore and Cochin, with an indent for 
ammunition, &c., required for the use of the Nayar Brigade. 


From the Inspector-General of Ordnance, to the Secretary to Government, 
Military Department, dated 2nd November 1889, No. G. 89. 

In returning reference order No. 7306, dated 25th October 1889, I have 

Gunpowder, blank, r.l.g .ib. 1 , 500 . the honour to report, for the information 

Tubes, friction, service, l.s., abort,. No. 1,000. of His Excellency the Governor in 

Caps, percussion, service .No. 20,000. Councilj thafc the ammlm j tion as per 

margin is available for supply. 

With reference to the other stores entered in requisition No. 3, dated 24th 
September 1889, from the Commandant, Nayar Brigade, I would invite attention 
to Military Department letter No. 1135, dated 15th March 1889, from the Secretarv 
to the Government of India, from which it would appear that the Travancore State 
should make its own arrangements for obtaining them. 


Order —The issue of the articles mentioned in paragraph 1 of the letter from 
the Inspector-General of Ordnance, recorded above, is approved, and that officer 
requested to despatch the stores to the address of the indenting officer. Para¬ 
graph 2 of the letter will be communicated to the Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin through the Political Department. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. KENNY-HERBERT, Brigdr.-Genl, 

Secretary to Government. 

Order thereon, 25th November 1889, No. 607. 

Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin with reference to 
his letter No. 123, dated 15th October 1889. t 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 

34 









(15)— G.O ., dated 9th May 1890, No. 241, Political. 

Read the following papers:— 

From J. C. HANNYNGTON, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to 
the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, dated Trivandrum, 
16th January 1890, No. 17. 

With reference to G.O., Political Department, dated 25th November 1889, 
No. 607, I have the honour to forward, for the consideration of Government, copy 
of a letter No. 182, dated 15th instant, and its enclosures, from the Dewan of 
Travancore, regarding the supply of military stores from the Arsenal, Fort St* 
George, to the Nayar Brigade. 


From M.R.Ry. T. RAMA ROW, Dewan of Travancore, to the British Resident 
of Travancore, &c., dated Trivandrum, 15th January 1890, No. 182/75-M. 

With reference to your office memorandum No. 1072, dated the 28th ultimo, 
forwarding copy of a Government Order from the Madras Government regarding 
the supply of certain stores indented for by the Commandant, Nayar Brigade, I 
have the honour to enclose copy of a letter, with enclosures, received from that 
officer, and request that, under the circumstances therein stated, you will be good 
enough to move the Madras Government to reconsider their decision and to allow 
the Nayar Brigade to receive all military stores from the Arsenal, Fort St. George, 
as hitherto. 


From Colonel W. D. B. KETCHEN, Madras Light Cavalry, Commanding 
Nayar Brigade, to the Dewan of Travancore, dated Trivandrum, 21st 
December 1889, No. 462. 

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 6240/2331 -M, 

dated the 12th instant, forwarding copy 
Proceedings of Government (Military), dated 14th 0 f Q.O., No. 607, dated 25th November 
November 1889, No. 7938. 1889, from the Madras Government, 

regarding the non-supply of certain stores indented for the use of the brigade along 
with ammunition. 

2 . With reference to paragraph 2 of the letter from the Inspector-General of 
Ordnance quoted in that Government Order, I beg to point out that the Secretary 
to the Government of India, Military Department, was in error in supposing that 
“ it has been the practice for the Travancore State to obtain arms and accoutre¬ 
ments under private arrangements ” as stated in his letter No. 1135-D, dated Fort 
William, 15th March 1889 (copy attached). 

3. The Government of India in accordance with the recommendation of the 
Inspector-General of Ordnance and Magazines in his letter No. 292-K, paragraph 2, 
dated Simla, 29th July 1873, to the address of the Secretary to the Government 
of India, Military Department, directed that requisitions for stores from Native 
States should be sent to the Ordnance Department through the Political officer con¬ 
cerned, and the resolution was communicated to the Resident in Travancore and 
Cochin in Madras G.O., No. 383, dated 17th September 1873 (copy attached), and 
which was forwarded by the Resident to the Officer Commanding the Nayar 
Brigade for his information as per Memorandum No. 668, dated the 1st October 
1873. All indents submitted from the brigade since then have up to date been 
submitted accordingly. I annex a statement from which you will see that the 
supplies of arms, guns, accoutrements, and various other stores indented for 
from time to time for the brigade have been hitherto invariably sanctioned and 
complied with by the Government of Madras, and the stores have been accordingly 
received from the arsenal. Please note that in the statement above referred to I 
have only included indents since the receipt of G.O., No. 383, above quoted. But 





$ 


135 


& 


No. 12. The Government are of opinion that the Nayar 
Brigade should be armed with the same description of 
small arms as it is proposed to supply the British Native 
Infantry regiments, the brigade being commanded by 
British officers and drilled on the British system ; but as 
it seems probable that there will be considerable delay in 
the final disposal of the question, the Government assent, 
as a temporary measure, to the proposal to arm the Nayar 
Brigade with short smooth-bore percussion muskets, such 
as are used by the police in the Madras Presidency. 


it was usual prior to that time to receive arms, accoutrements, &c., through the 

Government of Madras. The only occa¬ 
sion I am aware of in which arms were 
not received through the British Govern¬ 
ment was when in 1870 as per G.O., 
No. 165, dated 13th May 1870, quoted 
in the margin, the Madras Government 
assented ‘ as a temporary measure ’ to the 
brigade being armed with smooth-bore 
muskets, such as were then in use with the police in the Madras Presidency. 

4. These muskets were apparently not available in the Fort St. George 
Arsenal, as they were obtained through Mr. W. W. GreeDer, Gunmaker, London. 

5. It is, I think, probable if we are in future to obtain our supplies through 
private agency, the cost will be greater, and we shall not have the advantage of the 
arms, &c., being tested by Government departments and being passed by Military 
Boards of Survey prior to issue. The inconvenience and delay in receiving supplies 
will also be very great. 

6. Under these circumstances, I would suggest the advisability of representing 
the circumstances of the case through the proper channel to the Government of 
India, with a request that they may be pleased to reconsider their decision and to 
allow the Nayar Brigade in future, as hitherto, to receive all military stores from 
the Arsenal, Fort St. George. 


R. No. 11. 

Transferred to the Military Department. 


Fort St. George, 
4 th February 1890 


.} 


(Signed) 


A. BUTTERWORTH, 

Ag. Asst. Secretary. 


10 th February 1890. 


No. 1034. 

Referred for favour of early report. 
(By Order.) 

(Signed) 


A. KENNEY-HERBERT, Brigdr.-Genl., 

Secretary to Government. 


From Colonel C. W. BRERETON, R.A., Assistant Inspector-General of Ord¬ 
nance (in charge of Ordnance Office), to Brigadier-General A. KENNEY- 
HERBERT, Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated 
Fort St. George, 12th February 1890, No. 116-G. 

There is no doubt that up to the date of Military Department letter No. 1135-D 
of 15th March 1889, from the Government of India, the Travancore Government 
has received stores from the Ordnance Department, but no provision can now be 
made to supply such stores without a reconsideration of the case by the Government 
of India and their sanction to the same accorded. 


To the Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, dated 
21st February 1890, No. 1315. 




35 







136 


From Major-General E. E. H. COLLEN, c.i.e., Secretary to the Government 
of India, Military Department, to Brigadier-General A. KENNEY- 
HERBERT, Secretary to the Government of Madras, Military Depart¬ 
ment, dated Simla, the 14th April 1890, No. 1486-D. 


Arms—Native States. 


I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1315,* dated 21 st 
_ „ , , February 1890, and in reply to say, for 

* Enclosures returned. ., . ,, J .. - TT . -rT n J 

the information of His Excellency the 
Governor in Council, that the Government of India sanction the entire indent 
submitted by the Travancore State for arms, accoutrements, &c., for use of the 
Nayar Brigade being complied with by the Ordnance Department. 

2 . The Director-General of Ordnance in India has been instructed accordingly. 


Order in the Military Department, dated 3rd May 1890, No. 3060. 

The foregoing letter from the Government of India communicated to the 
Political Department and the Inspector-General of Ordnance, with reference to 
Proceedings of Government, No. 7938, dated 14th November 1889, and No. 707, 
dated 29th January 1890. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) A. KENNEY-HERBERT, Brigdr.-Genl., 

Secretary to Government. 

Order thereon, 9th May 1890, No. 241. 

Communicated to the Resident in Travancore and Cochin. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 


(16) — G.O., dated 2*1 th June 1894 ,No. 447, Political. 

Jlead —G.O., dated 19th May 1894, No. 3072, Military. 

Head —the following letter from the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, 
Military Department, to the Secretary to the Government of Madras, 
Military Department, dated Simla, the 2nd May 1894, No. 1986-D. 

The Government of India, having had under consideration the question of the 
procedure to be observed in dealing with applications for the supply of arms and 
ammunition to the Police, Political Agents, Native States, &c., on the abolition of 
the Presidential Army system, have decided that requisitions for the issue or 
replacement of arms, other than rifled arms and ammunition, which Local Govern¬ 
ments and Administrations are at present, or in future, may be authorized to dis¬ 
pose of, need not be referred to the Military Department, but may be sanctioned 
by the Local Governments or Administrations and forwarded to the Inspector- 
General of Ordnance of the circle concerned for compliance if the arms are 
available. 

2. Requisitions for the supply of arms and ammunition which require the 
sanction of the Government of India should, however, continue to be forwarded to 
the Home or Foreign Department of the Government of India as the case may 
require. 


Order —dated 19th May 1894, No. 3072, Military. 

Communicated to the Political Department and the Inspector-General of 
Ordnance. 







137 


* 


No. 1059. 

Memorandum. 

The Military Department is requested to be so good as to state tbe cases in 
which the sanction of the Government of India will be required. 

(Signed) J. F. PRICE, 

25 th May 1894. Chief Secretary. 


From the Inspector-General of Ordnance, to the Secretary to Government, 
Military Department, dated 18th June 1894, No. 1-4659. 

It cannot be stated what applications will require the sanction of the Gov¬ 
ernment of India until the nature of the demand is known. It may be mentioned, 
however, that the issue of rifled arms and ammunitions cannot be made under any 
circumstances without the previous sanction of the Government of India being 
obtained thereto. 

2. Issues are now made periodically to the following Native States under the 
sanction of Government of India, and it will still be necessary for similar sanction 
to be obtained on each occasion on which such demands are preferred ;— 

Mysore Government. 

Travancore Government. 

Political Agent, Pudukkottai. 


Order —dated 22nd June 1894, No. 3861, Military. 

Ordered that the foregoing letter from the Inspector-General of Ordnance be 
communicated to the Political Department. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) D. J. S. McLEOD, Colonel, 

Offg. Secretary to Government. 


Order— dated 27th June 1894, No. 447, Political. 
Recorded. 

(True Extract.) 

(Signed) 


J. F. PRICE, 

Chief Secretary. 








* 


138 


(1).—SECTION X.—MISCELLANEOUS—BUILDINGS. 


Extracts from the Minutes of Consultation , dated 24 th October 1837, JVo. 393, 
Political Department. 

Read —the following papers*— 

From ROBERT CLERK, Esq., Secretary to Government, Fort St. George, 
to J. S. FRASER, Esq, Resident in Travancore and Cochin, with refer¬ 
ence to his letter, dated the 25th ultimo. 

The Right Honourable the Governor in Council authorizes the occupation by 
the Travancore Sircar of the Government buildings at Trivandrum, on condition 
of their being maintained in an efficient state of repair, and being held available 
for immediate surrender to Government on requisition if needed for purposes of the 
State, and directs that the guard over the above buildings furnished from Quilon 
be dispensed with. 


From H. NEWILL, Esq., Resident in Travancore and Cochin, to the Officer 
Commanding Nayar Brigade, dated Trivandrum, 31st July 1866, No. 1344. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 78 of the 22nd 
ultimo, proposing the removal of the arms from the Brigade barracks to the store¬ 
rooms, and in reply to inform you that I see no objection to their removal accord¬ 
ingly, on the understanding that, in accordance with the condition of the order of 
Government, dated the 24th October 1837, No. 393, these buildings shall be made 
immediately available for purposes of the British service, should such necessity arise. 

2. I have requested the Engineer to prepare the requisite estimate for adopting 
the .store-room for the purposes now proposed. 


From Major R. N. CAMPBELL, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the Officer 
Commanding at Nagercoil, dated Trivandrum, 25th September 1836. 

With reference to the withdrawing of the Company’s Detachment at Nager¬ 
coil, will you do me the favour to furnish the bearer by name Ramaswamy,’ Barrack 
Conicopoly at Trivandrum, with a list of any public property which may be under 
your charge, specifying its conditions for the purpose of enabling him to examine 
and certify that the list is correct; afterwards a receipt will be furnished to you, if 
required. 


From Major R. N. CAMPBELL, Commanding Nayar Brigade, to the Officer 
Commanding at Oodagherry, dated Trivandrum, 25th September 1836. 

With reference to the withdrawing of the Company’s Detachment at Ooda¬ 
gherry and placing the public property under custody of a guard from the Nayar 
Brigade, will you do me the favour, before leaving the place, to furnish the bearer 
by name Ramaswamy, Barrack Conicopoly at Trivandrum, with a list of the public 
property under your charge, specifying its conditions for the purpose of enabling 
him to examine it and certify that the list is correct; afterwards a receipt will be 
furnished to you, if required. 









49 


* w>* 



/ 


- 



•5 


*< 





















































































































































































































a 

a> 

© 

£ 

© 

O Tj 

•r g 

c3 c3 

• M 

s 10 

t> « 

- p 

O G 

a * 

■ 2 8 

d 

C 

c3 


r_71 


P 4-J 

be p 5 

r* n © ~ 
CD 1 ^ •.-( 0 m 

^ 1 ^ 

<D 3 CLi h 

2 "5 


Tf 


P 


o 


oo "T: 


Soo 


05 


a> 


•**i> 

£ 

o 


X 1 

• 



CD *3 

O HD 

• 

• 


► .S 








CD 




U3 




<D 

o «$ 

be 

• 


> 

a 



-4-> 

♦ H 



p !? 

bo 

ffj 


P ^ 

P 

© 


o 

CD 

CO 


© 

> 

O 


o 

cfl 

P< 


ci O 

O 




CO 

P 


p 

© 

PU 

f 

T 

"S' 

h 

CO 

• H © 00 

> 

• I-H 

© 

Pi 

a 

c> 

P-, ,-- 

tH 



© <D CJ 

>T3 3 

P-l 

o 

• H 

J2T 

Ph 

• 

• ^ 

•H 

© 

Pi 

-*-> 

o 






i. Fishery rents 

ii. Eefunds of expenditure of 

previous year 

iii. Fee for numbering carts, &c. 

iv. Other items 








































































































( 


61 



Total Receipt 


































































































































































